Judgment

Ralph Waldo Emerson : "The one thing in the world, of value, is the active Soul. This, every man is entitled to, this, every man contains within him, although in almost all men it is obstructed and unborn...it is not the privilege of a favorite, but the sound estate of every man, and in it's principal, progressive."


In front of me, on Judgment Day,
my children stand.
My spouse and I are asked to determine
where our two children should end up.

Of course, we will not send them to
a place of burning fire.
This place I cannot even believe exists.
Will they go to Heaven then?
Neither of them is perfect;
however, my husband and I are far from perfect!
Our children are the reflection of us.
What they became was due, in part,
to how my husband and I raised them.
We gave our children a safe place to live,
love and happiness (I like to think),
and rules to follow.
One child broke many rules,
but in his heart is love
despite it all.
He loves us; we love him.
Neither he nor his sister deserves
an eternity of hell.
What parent would condemn his children,
(even one a little naughty)
to live in scorching agony forevermore?

I cannot comprehend this kind of thinking.
Neither can I define what Heaven really is,
but I believe that everyone
has a spirit self,
and where the spirit goes
after this mortality
remains a mystery to the living.
If it be that I should stand
with my mate to give a final judgment
of our children, I would say
they shall go where we go,
and we will all be going
to a place
of love.

June 27, 2018 for Catie Lindsey's 
Active Soul And Mankind's Self-Righteousness Poetry Contest
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

Poem

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Carber Avatar
December 1, 2018 at 6:21 PM
I think your metaphor of God's love as a parent is apropos and sweetly, lovingly done. I have come to suspect that heaven or hell (and logically, if one is real then so must be the other) are 'chosen' by each soul by whether it sought the good or gave into evil, for we all carry both light and darkness within us. But as the Psalm says, even in hell you can call on God and He will hear. I expect even Hitler will be given another chance some eon from now. It is the lack of love that leads to hell.
Kiser Avatar
September 2, 2018 at 11:33 PM
Congrat's on the win. Yes, they will be going to a place of love. I was raised by a religious fanatic and taught the threat of "Hell", too. Worse, I went to a Catholic School through the 6th grade and spent years half scared out of my mind until I had a spiritual experience that totally wondrous. I enjoyed the read and the best to you all.
Dietrich Avatar
September 3, 2018 at 12:37 AM
thanks so much! My mom is a fanatic also, but she is a really nice person and actually, the church I was raised in did not buy into the hell fire theory, which is one good thing I can say about it. I just avoid talking to my mom about my "church attendance" and we live in different states!
Marc Avatar
July 1, 2018 at 10:49 AM
Lovely. The “soul-self” is a topic I never get tired of. That state of perfection.
Lamoureux Avatar
July 1, 2018 at 10:23 AM
Well done Andrea! Great stuff.
Wade Avatar
July 1, 2018 at 8:06 AM
Awesome stuff, congratulations on your win. Faux
Sinha-Roy Avatar
July 1, 2018 at 4:26 AM
Congratulations on your fine win, Andrea.
Wigley Avatar
July 1, 2018 at 1:09 AM
Excellent piece, Anrea, a worthy win, and a fine solution to a conundrum none of us would want. Much enjoyed. Congrats! Viv x
Wolf Avatar
June 30, 2018 at 11:10 PM
Beautiful, sincerely honest poem, Andrea. Congrats on a well-deserved trophy win! Best wishes, Gershon
Roper Avatar
June 29, 2018 at 10:52 PM
As a parent, it would be hard for me to judge because of my love for them. I cannot understand how people do judge. Luck in the contest.
One Avatar
June 29, 2018 at 5:20 AM
Only God can judge, yet so many do it.. some do not even realise they are... Great poem for the contest..
Man Avatar
June 28, 2018 at 5:49 AM
Your a wise lady that makes the reader think but also warm to make us all feel.. this is why you're a Master, Andrea!
De Beaulieu Avatar
June 27, 2018 at 8:41 PM
Hello Andrea, this is a powerful poem you created. it does make me think what happens. Like to Tom says none of us is perfect. Have a nice evening my friend.
Cunningham Avatar
June 27, 2018 at 8:12 PM
A very thought provoking verse Andrea, none of us are perfect, but we do our best for ourselves and our children. Tom.
Gauthier Avatar
June 27, 2018 at 7:42 PM
A very warm and touching poem, Andrea. Superbly done.
Ball Avatar
June 27, 2018 at 6:21 PM
Thank God I am neither judge nor jury of anyone. For only God truly knows the mind and heart of people. He is fair and just and filled with love for His children. I trust Him and only Him completely. A fine write Andrea. God Bless and thanks so much for looking in on me. JB
Krampe Avatar
June 27, 2018 at 6:20 PM
This is a deep and profound poem, Andrea. I love the final sentiment. I would never want to sit in judgment. I don't believe in hell. Yes, where the souls go is a mystery.
Marcum Wong Avatar
June 27, 2018 at 6:03 PM
I would never want to be the judge, I couldn't judge for sake of being biased. I believe every parent extols their children's best qualities and tries to ignore the bad ones. It would be a challenging dilemma for certain. I love how you ended this poem Andrea. This is a bit different style from you and I enjoyed relating to it as the mother of four. Best wishes for the contest. ; )
Pandit Avatar
June 27, 2018 at 4:42 PM
Great ending to your poem Andrea..an honest discourse on how parents want the best for their children. Heaven would be great, but like you say.. no one knows for sure much about it. So, I like your ending..together in love..best for a win.
Gondolf Avatar
June 27, 2018 at 4:29 PM
Quite a dilemma you present here, Andrea, But I really like the way you resolve it in the last few lines. All the best. John
Shaw Avatar
June 27, 2018 at 3:51 PM
Andrea it was an absolute joy to read your poem, in fact I read it through 3 times. Honesty and love, that's all we can ask for or indeed asked of. I hope you do well in the contest, but either way it is a real winner, regards, Kevin xx
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