Humanity, or: Transcendence

Posted on by ben Alexander

Poetry Partners #32

‘Poem of Atonement’, a poem by Adam Taylor of ‘Adam’s Poems Etc…’

we have slandered
we have robbed
we have bribed
we have wrought wickedness
we have lied
we have provoked
we have trespassed
we have transgressed
we have oppressed
we have rebelled
we have abominated
we have wallowed in evil

but otherwise we think
we’ve done quite well

A tanka by ben Alexander of ‘The Skeptic’s Kaddish’

no take-backs; no god; 
no redemption; nothing will
change the past, nor cleanse
us of our selves; the pain ends
with death; drugs; desperate lies

Let’s write poetry together!

When it comes to partnership, some humans can make their lives alone – it’s possible. But creatively, it’s more like painting: you can’t just use the same colours in every painting. It’s just not an option. You can’t take the same photograph every time and live with art forms with no differences.

–Ben Harper (b. 1969)

Would you like to create poetry with me and have a completed poem of yours featured here at the Skeptic’s Kaddish? I am very excited to have launched the ‘Poetry Partners’ initiative and am looking forward to meeting and creating with you… Check it out!

List of Poetry Partners

23 thoughts on “Humanity, or: Transcendence”

    1. ❤ CIndy ❤ – thanks.

      It's not despair though – it's just an honest account of the human condition, from my perspective. Life is pain – I embrace that particular Buddhist idea.

  7. Both poems very dark but the first is an example of blindness and the second of hopelessness! I’m crossing my fingers that neither is truth for the poets!

    1. For me, the first brings to the light the hypocrisy of repeated religious confessions for the purpose of redemption, and the second one simply describes life as it really is – with no sugar coating.

  11. I enjoyed reading Adam’s poem , especially the last two lines. As always , your response tanka is great, David. Incredible work! 🙂

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