“I don’t know what happens after death but I’ll have to chance it.”- Desert Snow, Jim Harrison
philosophers religions and people
often expound their beliefs
about what happens after death
indeed I’ve had some fascinating
in depth discussion with groups
of clerics but seems to date none
have returned to tell all
although those who have a near
death experience draw hope
it’s not actual death, merely
conjecture. Did Dante get it right
or merely push common beliefs
for heaven and hell exist in this
very life no need to wait and wonder
is it nothingness or does the soul
pass over to another realm or
maybe even another body
speculation on the unknown
fills volumes and some speak
with authority but chances are
our own mind has the power to
propel us into the reality of our own
beliefs … so be careful what you think
for on death it may well come true!
d’Verse, Poetics, Linda
as most have chosen the obvious quote, I decided on the path the less travelled …
my hazy photo of a rainbow …
aroused 
Death and its consequences have been on my mind since the past few months now. Try as I might, I just can’t get over it.
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best to think deeply about the topic until you reach your own conclusions, then the mind can settle … it calms any fear 🙂
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I so love this kate….made me ponder..
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I like the poem about the passing of life. Everyone is curious about what to expect. Or is it really hell and heaven on earth?
greetings
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Hmm, food for thought Kate and I love the shot.
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So much we don’t know – apart from what’s in our hearts. Thought-provoking poem Kate.
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Death is heavy on my mind today, a dear poet/blog friend lost her 27 year old daughter yesterday after a long, valiant, brave struggle. I want to believe she was carried away in the arms of angels … that she is at peace, no longer in pain.
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Lovely photo! Personally, I’m not sure what happens after we die, and I’m okay with that. But I do agree that our expectations may well shape it!
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Death or not I always got faith ….inside me and especially in Christ . I like your well balanced poem, Kate.
Love ❤
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Great choice, Kate, and a very brave write! ‘for heaven and hell exist in this
very life no need to wait and wonder’ – I agree with this absolutely. Heaven is all around us but we are very good at creating our own hell and living trapped within it!
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Why am I not surprised you picked this line, sis!
Live well, live fully, hurt no one and I guess one wouldn’t have to worry whether there is an afterlife or not.
You aced this, sis. 😊
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Well written and so true – we don’t know… I will hope for paradise and maybe it will be so.
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Very profound post on death, Kate. No one knows what happens once we die.
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I really like your analysis here of life and death. You are right the experience of heaven and hell can be found right here on earth! Seems like we humans like to expound on what we don’t really know and make it truth! Many have fallen prey to the greed that follows! Well done, Kate!
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This is very profound, I often think about this and wonder and it says something about our human minds one way or the other.
The best thing I can think of is to admit that I do not know and live best I can maybe?
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Great poem.I used the same line as the epigraph for my poem,but this one was enjoyable to read. The answer to that ultimate question is what people most desire…
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Live in the moment is my philosophy. Whatever comes next can be a surprise
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I agree, Kate. So many ‘authorities’ but none have travelled there and returned (at least with any ‘proof’). Your final warning is offered, and accepted, with wisdom. Thank you.
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I wish I knew! I wonder how it would change people’s behaviors if they actually knew the answer to this question…
❤
David
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Thought-provoking and beautifully shared. I believe this life is not all there is…there is something more. 🙂 BUT, I, also, believe how we live this life is so very important…for us, for those living here at this very time, too, and for those who will live after us. 🙂
OH! What a gorgeous rainbow photo, Sweet-Kate! A smile-bringer! 🙂
(((HUGS))) 🙂
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Nice speculations on the mystery of what happens after death. In hinduism there’s a belief that the soul passes over to another body or a different realm depending on the karma. I loved your take, Kate!
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No one has ever come back to tell! Perhaps we will have to wait till the day of judgment.
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I think we judge ourselves harshly enough now
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Beautifully done! To each his own belief I’d say 🙂
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I enjoyed your persuasive musings here, Kate, especially these lines:
“for heaven and hell exist in this
very life no need to wait and wonder”
“but chances are
our own mind has the power to
propel us into the reality of our own
beliefs”
And a gorgeous photo too, how fitting!
🙂
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As Iris Dement counseled, “let the mystery be”. (K)
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for heaven and hell exist in this
very life no need to wait and wonder
This I agree with you wholeheartedly – we are literally living in our self created heaven or hell
And you concluded so brilliantly, I loved the clear straightforward message! It matters so much how we think, act and live here in this lifetime, rest would just follow. Beautiful thought-provoking poem!
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“Heaven and hell on this earth as we live”.
I love the way you have played with death, soul, heaven and hell. And be careful what you think it might come true. You have playfully touched deep topics.
I have too many thoughts and opinions on these topics, but choose not to discuss here. I just want to appreciate your well written poem that offends none, but questions all.
Always beautifully written
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If there’s no life after death, it doesn’t mean there’s no “God” because there could be a creator whose creation is like a book with a beginning and end….in which case we’ll never know if there’s a God. There doesn’t seem to be any point or purpose to such a scenario. On the other hand, what kind of a God would create all this suffering and pain to (often) innocent and helpless victims without an accounting which justifies it (which I find hard to get my head around).
In short, I don’t believe in the God of (any) religion, but I also can’t believe in a creation without a creator….which leaves open the question of what kind of creator is it who seems so amoral that I’m not sure an afterlife is to be wished for.
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I really like philosophy in poetry, and enjoyed your voice in your exposé here…very much like the way you concluded, very nicely done….
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And what a creative path you chose! I especially love these 2 stanzas:
‘indeed I’ve had some fascinating
in depth discussion with groups
of clerics but seems to date none
have returned to tell all
although those who have a near
death experience draw hope’
So perfect.
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Well, I certainly plan to come back. 😉
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A very interesting poem, Kate! We function in the present. What we do is in our control and is our responsibility. I don’t think there is an afterlife, but if there is, I believe it is how we live now that prepares us for it.
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Finding heaven and hell on earth while we live might be the best bet. and maybe (just maybe) a foretaste of something to come.
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