Alienation of Affection
I had an argument with God today,
really went off on him
told him I am sick and tired of the way he always says he’s gonna do stuff
and never comes through.
He completely ignored me, as usual.
I swear we have the most dysfunctional relationship.
I am always either professing unending devotion
or vowing to end the relationship forever…
and he just pays no attention either way.
My friends all tell me that I’m over-reacting.
They’re sure he really loves me-
they read that love letter he wrote,
but I say, the proof is in the pudding and I’m not getting fed.
And it’s not like I’m asking him for a diamond ring and a new Mercedes-
not like that Hedge Fund bitch he’s been showering with gifts.
I just asked him to stop dicking around with the people I love most,
stop pulling the rug out from under someone who is doing everything right
and still getting the world’s door slammed in his face.
But as usual, I got the usual impenetrable, inscrutable silence
as he sipped his coffee and perused the day’s headlines.
So I said, Oh hey, nice work, by the way, in Ivory Coast
yeah, I can see you’ve been busy there and in Fukyshima
but could you possibly take your eye off the damn sparrow and give me
5 seconds of your precious time!
All those other lovers you’ve been spending your time with
I think they’re starting to rub off on you
with their “Punish him!” “Smite the one who is different”
and frankly, I told him,
I don’t like the way you talk after you’ve been out with them.
You come home to me smelling of brimstone
bring your sword to my bed.
So I told him: this is it.
You have to treat my kids with some respect!
Don’t make me choose between you
because you will lose that contest, Mr. High-and -Almighty.
And I want you to be nice to my friends- yes even the ones you think are weirdos-
and will you for Christ’s sake please LOOK at me when I’m talking to you,
Nod, or wave, or end a war or something so I"ll know you're listening!
Because, if you won't, I am done trying with you.
Hell, I can stand here and get ignored by anybody!
Yeah, I really had it out with God today.
I'm just wish I knew if he was listening.
Tracy Meisky is a poet, writer, singer, songwriter and all-around boat rocker from way back. Feel free to look around, but if you break it, you bought it.
One has to wonder about a God who demands an absolute devotion, who promises to send you to Hell not just for a few years, or even for a million years, but for all eternity, burning and anguishing in the worst way, simply because you question Him, or don't believe in Him.
That makes you wonder about God's morals, doesn't it? If you really want to be up in Heaven with this Guy who would do that to a poor otherwise decent soul simply because he doesn't believe in You? What kind of lesson is that for our kids? What kind of example is that? If the requirements for going upstairs are so high then I'm sure I know some people who won't make it. Good, decent, imaginative people who fight the good fight. They'll probably go down there. So maybe that's where I would want to go to. Where the decent people are?
I love the honesty of your poems. I am one of those followers of God through Christ, or perhaps more a meanderer than follower, and one who has also had my share of sessions shaking my fist at my creator. But I got the bike for my birthday that I just had to have, yet I curse him when I fall and skin my knee? Haven't we been given all we need to feed and clothe the planet, a mind and guidance giving us the capability for administering true justice? Should I be shaking my fist at God or looking in the mirror?