Pain is temporary, they say
Things will get better (eventually)
Give it some time…
Giving up is forever, they say
There’ll be no point of return
Be more resilient…
God has a plan, they say
He doesn’t give me more than I can handle
Surrender to His will…
But what if God’s will
Is to give up on me
Forever?
I wrote this poem for dVerse’s Poetics, for which the prompt today is to incorporate some form of the word “give” in your poem. As a spiritual wanderer, I find myself perpetually wrestling with the idea that life has meaning. I came across a comment on Reddit recently in which a chronic pain sufferer said more or less that the idea that one day they will be dead and no longer need to suffer, is comforting to them. The comment didn’t come from a position of “I’ll be in a better place then”, which made me think really. I am not in a space to ponder this topic further right now though.
A Multitude of Musings 
Thank you for your thoughtful response to the prompt. I’m not a believer, but I’ve never understood the whole it’s god’s will thing.
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Me neither. I’m no longer into organized religion and quite frankly I felt more trapped when I still tried to believe in the Christian God than I do now, because I knew deep down that I didn’t believe it fully so by traditional protestant logic I’d be condemned to hell anyway. That’s what my last line refers to.
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Ahh–a paradox!
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I agree with you. I no longer subscribe to organized religion, however I do believe in God. Your poem is wonderful and yes thought provoking. We all have doubts, questions that we may never get the answer to. I guess this is perhaps part of the journey for those of us that ponder such things. I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone in with these ponderings and well done on your poem.
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Thank you so much for letting me know I’m not alone. I do believe in God too, but it’s often hard to find a place of belonging when I don’t subscribe to any organized religion.
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❤️I agree
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That’s brilliant and very thoughtful.
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Thaank you.
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A really well written poem, Astrid. It is thought provoking and asks a timeless question. What does giving up mean. It means forever! Well done.
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Thanks so much for the compliment on my poem.
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You are welcome.
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God does give us more than we can handle, or whatever you consider as being at the helm of the universe. If He didn’t, then we would have no need to seek anything outside ourselves. You will never be given up on forever.
I’ve a different perspective, as I do believe, however I don’t know that God condemns people to eternal separation somewhere awful for doubt or unbelief. Every one of us has doubts at some time.❤️
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Well said.
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Thank you.
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Oops, just realized this was a reply to another comment.
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🥰no problem
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Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I’m so glad you felt able to share your viewpoint as a believer. I, for one, do believe in God, I just don’t subscribe to organized religion.
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Of course.❤️ I think everyone ought to be free to share their thoughts. After all, no one really knows for sure. I don’t like religion either. It drives many people away, as it seems may have happened in your life like it did in mine? I think whatever anyone believes, God loves us all.❤️
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This poem has such a good “they say” rhythm that makes me wanting more of a turn about what you have to say before that final verse.
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That’s interesting. Thanks for the feedback. I’n not really that good with longer poems though. Besides, I’m not really sure what “I” would have to say.
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a thought proving post giving such a brilliant insight into our place in creation – the rhythm made for an especially enjoyable read
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Thanks so much. I’m glad you liked the rhythm of my poem.
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Interesting thoughts – much to ponder on!
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Yes indeed. Thank you for stopping by.
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Beautifully written and it’s very thought provoking. x
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Thanks so very much.
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My understanding of suicides changed with the idea that suicides don’t want to be dead but just want the pain to stop and this poem reminded me of that…
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Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Yes, as someone who has struggled with suicidal ideation on and off since childhood, I can totally relate to that.
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I do hope it’s not God’s will… so many bad things happens I cannot understand that part.
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Me neither. I really feel confused about this with respect to organized religion.
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This is so beautiful lly written
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Oh my own stupid brain was acting up, I read the comments in reverse order. Thanks so much!
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Oh well that’s even better lol
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Beautifully written sorry
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Why sorry? I’m confused. Thanks for the compliment.
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This is brilliant, Astrid!
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Aw thank you!
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I dropped out too Astrid, institutional religion lost its way and lost me as a result. It moved away from the love it claimed.
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Thanks for sharing. The thing is, I wasn’t raised with religion but became interested in it later on.
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I was right in the middle of it but felt worn down by it, i still hold to the love and to living it, but not in any formal group.
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This is a very nice poem. I resonate with it a lot. Thanks for sharing. ❤️
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Thanks so much for your kind words. I’m so sorry you can relate in a way.
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