The Dali Lama once said. “My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.”
What constitutes a “religious poem”? Does it have to spell it out… or can it simply be suggestive, as in identifying divine characteristics such as kindness without an identifiable agenda?
The subjectivity of spirituality in poetry, or even art in general, tends to be secularly disseminated. Religion is sold as this or sold as that, always tending to be branded AS SOON AS THE OBVIOUS KEYWORDS APPEAR… “faith”, “vibrations”, “karma”, “prayers”… etc.
The freedom of art is that there are no rules. The same applies to philosophy. The ancient Greek philosophers and Roman philosophers sat and calmly discussed the possibilities of our roles in this natural world AND the heavenly realms. Debates were civilized and conducted within the framework of reason, with a somewhat scientific and civilized approach. Understanding ideas was encouraged!
Poetry affords a similar platform. It levels the playing field, neutralizing boundaries into infinite expressions, as well as expounding upon questions (and answers) of the sublime. Imagination has always been one of mankind’s most peculiar attributes…
The formation of perspective usually lies within both heart and mind, what we feel and what we know. A disconnect between the seen and unseen seems to lie at the heart of every conflict with religion… a mystery of faith if you will.
There are common threads within most religions and even with atheists. Humility, mercy, charity, kindness, love,… all demonstrate attributes that have a place in our lives, whether we are spiritual or not. These threads are what keep our planet from being frayed apart by absolute dissension. Even if we do not agree to disagree, the fact that every perspective exists is in itself a conundrum that will never go away.
So where does that leave poets? Exactly where poets start, where their heart takes them… to expound upon what they believe with all the extent of their craft. It is up to the reader to decide what is wrong or what is right…
What do you think reader? I would really like to know! Please leave your comments at the bottom of the article, and as always, thanks for reading. See you next time!
Matt Elmore
Thanks for another splendid post Matt. I can't speak for anyone else, but I avoid the use of the term 'religious poem' and instead prefer devotional or faith poetry. I guess I have a problem with religion. I would rather talk about relationship. And that's what my faith oriented poems speak of.
ReplyDeleteI’m glad you said that Steve… I am a big fan of devotional poetry not only for the positive undertones, but the reassurance that there is more to this existence than for being “food for the worms” as a fellow at work once said when I mentioned going to church…
DeleteI find myself not making overtly "christian" poems as such, but very often find myself using biblical or spiritual metaphors in a secular context - intending to point the reader to the possibility of the sacred. Quite often biblical language crops up, because much of it has a resonance with things spiritual. So my poem "Continuing his work" written after the death of my dad, was finally triggered by my daughter bringing a broken toy for me to mend, just as I had done for my Dad when I was a similar age. I ended the poem:
ReplyDeleteSolemnly enacted the sacrament
Of mending a plastic ambulance.
A memory, though secular, was also sacred to me, in that I was "continuing his work" as a father.
Thanks you for reading Iain… I find myself referring to the creator in metaphors and allusions as well… that way it appeals to everyone and if someone wants to seek a deeper meaning… it is there for anyone who recognizes the “keywords” I described in this article…!
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