Here in the bible belt.

Sorry moonman but I can't like this. There is too much of the unsolicited "i am' in it. The poem strikes a pose and then proceeds to answer a question from the reader that has not been asked. All the best eric

I had not realized it was for the competition moonman that does put it in context. However I would suggest you try to find a way of taking the 'i am" out of the work. Approach the poem from more an over-voice or what has been called by some a "god-voice." This will allow you to state certain beliefs or un-beliefs from a less narrow platform. To me the subject needs a light hand. Some quirky humor and off-the-wall image to highlight the futility of taking one stand for, or against any extreme point of view. Just my thoughts on this. Good luck eric

your entry. Good luck in the contest! Mark W.

I like how you say that you are "quietly atheist" and your attitude about not needing anyone else to validate your own beliefs. I'm not religious... more spiritual than anything and I feel the same as you that we have the right to choose our own path in this life. I have long believed that those who feel the need to recruit, don't have a very strong faith in their beliefs as they need others to believe the same as they do to validate them. I hate it when someone tells me that they will pray for me... it makes me feel violated. Good work here and good luck with the contest! Cat

I will think about you drowning when the water rises...? Though I do believe in the power of prayer I don't subscribe to can packaged god figures.I would like to read this with a touch of humor.You lay it on the table well in context with the contest though. In ink, Dabbler

Yeah, I feel the same, I don't use the word for myself but the closest word I could use for myself is a closet agnostic. I was raised in a very fundamentalist religious family, so I've had a lot of religion pounded into me. There are always traces of "if God were there". I've had some of the same struggles, i feel you there.

Richard after seeking this one out (as I see you've written many since 2008), Wow! My take on the comment, to many "i am". I firmly believe that you have every and I mean every RIGHT to share yourself through your poetry. Isn't it with-in us, parts of our lives, filtered through us? It is us, in art form. So what's up when some of those bible-toating christians have no idea on how to show love. Afterall your last line did say, "I'de rather be loved". What part of that didn't they get?

an unbeliever! Can't believe---er, I can't---you don't believe in Santa. Now, that's extreme! Among my numerous favorite lines in this piece, a particular one in particular stands out particularly: "I don’t believe in Santa either." How could you not?! Yours, Chuck

I am humbled by this poem. You have taken up an experiment and made it living and breathing, you and them, inking drying on a newly printed page. The last line is a zinger. This particular poem is where it needs to be: decidedly about you. But it is so brave it can cause discomfort: better to find a veneer to warp the transference of the image to the eye (not). We the people must find ways to see ourselves as me the person, and then hope that the rest of we will see something approaching the me which each I wants to be. It is the proclamation of the island "I", the invention of the rafting "me" within the sea of the engulfing "we". The line, "wouldn’t want to criminalize you…" is loud with implication, and, at that, an implication beyond family, to the threading of the land. Atheist you declare but oh, atop courageous, courageous, courageous, surely. bjp

Although I disagree with your take on it, you are certainly entitled to your own ideas and control over your own life. Hey we agree on one thing, neither of us beleive in Santa. LOL As far as the poem, well you summed it quite well in the last line. If I were you I'd seek Love over prayers anyday. As far as a quiet Athiest, Id say not as you express your ideas quite well. You should feel confident and bold in whatever you beleive. If you didn't, then I would question whether you truely beleived what you said you beleived. Shame your family abandon you. Don't feel bad though, I get no support from mine either. Good luck in the contest friend. isitme

Just a poem ,not a debate[THANK SANTA] you stated it well Moon! ______________________________________________________ Income-tax forms should be more realistic by allowing the taxpayer to list "Uncle Sam" as a dependent Anonymous