Blessed are the Children

Hi Shirley, I'll do the "but" first, i,e the juxtaposition of the relationship with one's religion and with one's parents is a simple enough idea. However, your use of religious language in a domestic situation is so veru clever and incredibly pertinent. I gave up religion when it became nothing more than duty, it is a harder call and a harder decision when dealing with one's parents. Once again you have peeled away the top layer of your experience leaving us to wonder at the stort that lies beneath. David xxx :--)

I like it - the poem can mean so much to so many different people coming from so many different backgrounds. :-)

Hi Shirley, It was easy to give up when I was 12, it took me another 30 odd years to realise that a lack of sprirituality (as opposed to religion) was a big hole in my life. David xxx

I've gradually been getting into Western Buddhism. I went on a retreat to learn some meditation techniques but it opened my eyes to there being more to life than just material things.

Wonderful combination of two different themes, Shirley! I especially loved: 'The miles tick by on a rosary string. We invent our own liturgy; 'best change the subject' 'don't rise to the bait' 'they mean well'' Really well done ;) Magic xxx

Very powerful! I really enjoyed the metaphor. Just one thing, a niggle, there's the odd bit of punctuation missing, which could easily be corrected and then the writing would be as technically perfect as it is poetically, J x

Hey, it's mainly right, and often down to personal style, but I feel it should be this: (sorry for long post - easier to copy and paste whole poem to show you what I'd do!): Twice a year we make this pilgrimage. The miles tick by on a rosary string. We invent our own liturgy: (colon) 'best change the subject'; (semi-colons for phrase lists) 'don't rise to the bait'; ( " ) 'they mean well'. (full stop to end sentence) We kneel at the alter of our fathers (and mothers) repenting, resenting, relieved. Every small tale is a confession. We hold out our hands for the eucharist and try not to choke on the host, washing it down with sacremental tea. We leave absolved, forgiven, blessed. Like any miracle, (capital 'L' to start a sentence) - and I think the comma, too) it doesn't even last until we get home. Hope this helps? Great poem, re-reading it this morning it's even more powerful! J x

No worries ;) J x

.Shoe sometimes it can be the only thing people have and do for changing lives. And my opinion, prayer's, and sprituality is the thing done all over the world. But you have put it into a fun poem. We have Nolan and David, and many more on AbcTales and all over the World, and for the Troops, Praying to change everything. But I disagree, with you putting it into a funny context Poem. This is very sacred to thousands.MILLIONS ARE PRAYED FOR. Must go. You could have done any subject bar this. Many have been healed! and many are to-day. We are all sinner's but forgiven. must go. Maybe I have it wrong, and must read The Code of Practice on Here! AbcTales.com I haven't been church for over year, busy. If you have been to the shrines etc; Then why be against it all. The spitfire? has spoken[now? Really upset think you think this way, we are all different. God said "suffer little children come unto me. What is happening to the world take fun, ou of religion, one befor someone did, called OUR FATHER= IS The LORD'S' PRAYER and tried the same. Everyone has a point of view, thing's can be funny but certainly not This, to me. And so many in the world.= Forgive. Must go. julie

well done on the cherry, richly deserved. ;)

well done on the cherry, richly deserved. I really enjoyed :) Beeme xx

Hei shoe, really like this details especially, rosary beads tick by miles' am writing religiousy things at mo too, you can quit, it like smoking, easier for some people & depend how addicted or devouted you were, I quit both very easily, now I have more in good people, love, lucky charms or superstitions (which I stick to like commandments)& anything I can wish on! maybe still have a little belief for angels... kheldar, good to hear you can fill the hole, buddhism is good, faith is the most important thing ;) K