A friend wrote a poem about heaven's gate. It's about everything I've been exploring this year. Love, fear, and what happens when no one gets left behind.
We’ll all interpret this through different lenses of our experience and beliefs. The first time I heard it was Dave reading it — and got chills (in a good way). This second time — chills and some tears. What if we stopped arguing (for eons) and saw our common humanity, now?
I get a different emotion every time. I can't help but smile when I read, "They tried to kill each other in a fight, But it didn’t work since we were dead."
I guess I don’t understand why complication would arise. Why would dead folks or living folks object to all or none? Seems totally self defeating and illogical. It’s unfair if someone different gets in too because it lessens their experience? But that’s circular so they won’t get in. Is this true in live society today ? Immigration insanity. Voting suppression. Racism. It’s here and now not after that this applies. Maybe that’s the message and I’m just slow on the uptake.
You're not slow on the uptake at all. I think you landed exactly where this poem wants people to land.
That's what makes Dave's poem so powerful to me. The setting is heaven's gate, but the mirror is pointed right at us. We do this every single day on earth. We argue about who belongs and who doesn't. Who deserves love and who doesn't. Who's in and who's out.
And maybe the answer is simpler than we make it. In the eyes of God, the universe, or whatever helps us understand that this is something much bigger than us, we all belong. We all deserve love.
The irony of people fighting about who gets into heaven is the whole point. It sounds absurd when you read it in a poem. But then you look around and realize we're living it. Immigration. Voting. Race. All of it.
I think Dave captured something that a lot of us feel but struggle to put into words. And I love that you connected it so quickly to what's happening right now.
We’ll all interpret this through different lenses of our experience and beliefs. The first time I heard it was Dave reading it — and got chills (in a good way). This second time — chills and some tears. What if we stopped arguing (for eons) and saw our common humanity, now?
I get a different emotion every time. I can't help but smile when I read, "They tried to kill each other in a fight, But it didn’t work since we were dead."
This one brought me to tears… I’m so glad you were able to share this. ❤️
David is a pretty special guy!
Can I share it?
Absolutely!
I guess I don’t understand why complication would arise. Why would dead folks or living folks object to all or none? Seems totally self defeating and illogical. It’s unfair if someone different gets in too because it lessens their experience? But that’s circular so they won’t get in. Is this true in live society today ? Immigration insanity. Voting suppression. Racism. It’s here and now not after that this applies. Maybe that’s the message and I’m just slow on the uptake.
You're not slow on the uptake at all. I think you landed exactly where this poem wants people to land.
That's what makes Dave's poem so powerful to me. The setting is heaven's gate, but the mirror is pointed right at us. We do this every single day on earth. We argue about who belongs and who doesn't. Who deserves love and who doesn't. Who's in and who's out.
And maybe the answer is simpler than we make it. In the eyes of God, the universe, or whatever helps us understand that this is something much bigger than us, we all belong. We all deserve love.
The irony of people fighting about who gets into heaven is the whole point. It sounds absurd when you read it in a poem. But then you look around and realize we're living it. Immigration. Voting. Race. All of it.
I think Dave captured something that a lot of us feel but struggle to put into words. And I love that you connected it so quickly to what's happening right now.
Did Dinner At God’s House ever find you?
No not yet. Did it get sent to the FL address? I am going to be back there in a few weeks. Excited for when it lands in my hands.
If not convenient will send another wherever you’ll be
Denver, NC
Love the poem and the comments, thanks for those who are willing to share.