Michelle Faulkner Poet Free verse

Other Faiths

Some say you are lost
If you are not found
On their ground

Some think you are blind
If you do not find
What they find

I am an atheist who believes

The universe is a tapestry
Not a thread

The science to chart the stars
Is but a celestial church

That medicine and vaccines
Are answered prayers

That communities
Can save each other

That math and music
Language and learning
Rebuilding destruction
And regretting a wrong

Are inherent miracles

That to plant a tree
Water a garden
Kiss a scar
Soothe a bruise
Give a smile
Hug a sorrow
Cook a meal
Play a song
Clasp a hand
Bandage a cut
Wipe a tear
Hear a need -

Is divine

I believe the soul of nature
Is sacred

and a rainbow's refraction
Is all the more radiant
For the formula it contains

I believe the finitude of life
Makes a more precious day

And, to my friends of other faiths
I believe - we can meet halfway.

4/27/20

(this was inspired by a poem I read by Anil Deo called Any Athiests out there - thank you for your kind response to my novella-of-a-comment, Anil!)

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Danny McAlister August 13, 2026 at 12:29 AM I'm really not very critical, and almost entirely uneducated when it comes to poetry, but I can tell you it resonates with me and I liked it. Good work!

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart May 14, 2020 at 9:30 AM Back for more. Thrilled to see it on the Best New Poems list. xomo Michelle Faulkner May 14, 2020 at 11:24 AM Always a treat to hear from you, Mo:)

Darlene De Beaulieu May 13, 2020 at 2:12 PM Hello Michelle Faulkner, You have really spoke your mind in this poem. Enjoy your day my friend. Darlene De Beaulieu May 14, 2020 at 6:19 PM Your welcome Michelle Faukner. Enjoy your evening my friend. Michelle Faulkner May 14, 2020 at 11:24 AM Thank you for your comment, Darlene, appreciate it-

John Hamilton May 9, 2020 at 5:28 PM Very nice write Michelle, it saddens me that so many turn away from belief in God, because of what badness that those who supposedly represent him do. I understand the indignation about the hypocrisy that exists in false religion. i think belief in God isn't really connected with what happens at death, it's all about life...how did we get here. The fibonacci sequence is enough for me to believe in a Creator, I accept each person chooses their own path, and rightly so! Michelle Faulkner May 9, 2020 at 9:21 PM Thank you for your comment, John - I also believe each of us should choose our own path - and there is more than one way to our personal truth.

Richard Lamoureux May 3, 2020 at 9:00 AM I am a Christian and still I believe you have traveled closer to God with these words than many who profess a dead and selfish faith. When I encounter beauty such as is expressed here, it strengthens my faith. Life is to wondrous to have happened by time and chance. Hugs Rick. Michelle Faulkner May 4, 2020 at 9:27 PM I think the ones helping, and being kind and forgiving, have more real faith than the rich preachers who care only about lining their pockets - thank you for your insightful comments-

Judy Ball May 2, 2020 at 4:24 PM Well said Michelle. I believe as you do though I am a total Believer in my God who created all things and loves all things. Too much wrong is done in the Name of Almighty God. that is Man's doing, not God's. People are fallible. they make mistakes and sometimes those mistakes are at great cost to the world. This is a fine write and says so much. Great job. God Bless, JB Michelle Faulkner May 2, 2020 at 6:50 PM I agree that a lot of war and sin are committed in the name of God - thank you so much for commenting, Judy.

Susan Ashley May 1, 2020 at 9:26 PM I love the tender, humane spirit of your poem, Michelle. This profound piece is expressed with an elegant eloquence deep and rich with love. A beautiful revelation of your shining nature, my friend. Your thoughts are magnificent and your poem is exquisite, dear poetess. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan Michelle Faulkner May 2, 2020 at 1:08 PM You are always so eloquently generous, Susan, I am humbled by your warm words!

Andrea Dietrich May 1, 2020 at 11:07 AM This is very lovely! I have to disagree with one thing. Vaccinations. Some of them are dangerous and doing opposite of what they claim to be. Dirty secrets they are trying to keep from us. Otherwise, your message is well recieved. Rico Leffanta May 6, 2020 at 2:10 PM If doctors had DNA reports establishing genetic risks for each patient, not only would dangerous reactions be reduced, but insurance payments to doctors filing false claims would SUBSTANTIALLY be reduced! Aloha! Rico Michelle Faulkner May 1, 2020 at 6:46 PM I think, except for a few rare anomalies where there was a negative reaction, vaccines are safe and beneficial to most people - so I guess we will agree to disagree - thank you for your comment, Andrea!

Anil Deo May 1, 2020 at 2:28 AM Gorgeous poem! Thanks Michelle: you are a winner, no need for saving. That is what they YOGIS showcase. I was once a member of Baltimore Ethical Society (founded in the 1860s by philosopher also named ADLER) Michelle Faulkner May 1, 2020 at 6:41 PM I am glad of the chance to learn something new from you, Anil, you are a wise and serene soul-

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart April 29, 2020 at 9:01 PM *~YES~* ...now off to find Anil's poem, xomo! Oh, and fave. Michelle Faulkner April 29, 2020 at 10:30 PM Xoxoxoxo, Mo :)

John Watt April 28, 2020 at 7:31 PM Michelle, this is exquisite poetry - digging down to the very core of self and personal convictions. Brava for your courage to state your innermost beliefs so eloquently. I wholeheartedly accept your kind invitation to meet halfway. Let's not let faith prevent what poetry provides - a meeting of open, inquiring minds and a respectful support of talents and insights. Love your section "to plant a tree... to hear a need". And "math and music" made me smile! Going into my faves, brilliant! Michelle Faulkner April 28, 2020 at 10:58 PM I am so touched and humbled by your generous comment, John (and yes, the math and music line were a little of your influence!)

Rico Leffanta April 28, 2020 at 2:33 PM All religion are simply a business using divine excuses to separate people from their property, usually by the "us" against "them" tactic. When, in the entire history of mankind, have you heard of any god worthy of that title? Loved your first two verses and your thoughts! Aloha! Rico Michelle Faulkner April 28, 2020 at 5:52 PM I do think religion, as a whole, divides more than unites - glad you liked this, Rico!

Jenish Somadas April 27, 2020 at 11:38 PM That medicine and vaccines Are answered prayers..Wonderful thoughts..And, to my friends of other faiths I believe - we can meet halfway...Ended with a positive note.. Great write Michelle.. Michelle Faulkner April 28, 2020 at 2:15 PM I much appreciate your kind comment, many thanks, Jenish-

Gershon Wolf April 27, 2020 at 9:40 PM This is a joy and an inspiration to me, Michelle. If I may, I'd like to suggest that were people to leave God out of the equation, then you'd have a union between all who hold life, animate and inanimate, to be sacred, to be infused with sanctity. :) More than halfway there! Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart April 29, 2020 at 9:02 PM <3 Michelle Faulkner April 28, 2020 at 2:14 PM I believe we would all benefit by focusing on what we have in common - so graceful for your support on this!

Jan Allison April 27, 2020 at 9:00 PM a joy to read Michelle - I too have no faith, partly through upbringing - my parents were of different religions but also because I see so much bigotry and lies from those who claim to live christian lives. Going to add this gem to my faves:-) love it and bravo for putting your thoughts and beliefs into such an eloquent poem:-) hugs Jan xx Michelle Faulkner April 27, 2020 at 9:14 PM That means a lot, Jan - I was actually a little nervous to post this one, to be honest.