Service Station - Closed
A commentary on the present state of religion.38 total reviews
Comment from Janetsue
It is heartbreaking to see how Christians are now increasingly coming under attack by many violent groups in America--a nation founded with trust in God. It is so sad to know hundreds of churches are closing their doors every month. My own church is down to a scant few members from once having a thousand back in the 1960s. Still, what is happening is all foretold and we must continue looking upward for peace and joy. Thank you for posting this excellent poem. Best wishes in the contest!
reply by the author on 07-Nov-2021
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It is heartbreaking to see how Christians are now increasingly coming under attack by many violent groups in America--a nation founded with trust in God. It is so sad to know hundreds of churches are closing their doors every month. My own church is down to a scant few members from once having a thousand back in the 1960s. Still, what is happening is all foretold and we must continue looking upward for peace and joy. Thank you for posting this excellent poem. Best wishes in the contest!
Comment Written 07-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 07-Nov-2021
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Thanks for the review. You are right. This country was founded on religious freedom. These people who are removing the ten commandments and other religious items from some of our buildings should be in jail.
Comment from Jumbo J
Hi Paul,
firstly let me say... a wonderful presentation with a magic story attached.
I really liked your rhyme, rhythm and flow... it made for a very easy and compelling read.
Thank you for sharing... and all the very best to you in this 'My Faith' contest. A worthy contender.
With our thoughts we create...
Kind regards,
James.
reply by the author on 07-Nov-2021
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Hi Paul,
firstly let me say... a wonderful presentation with a magic story attached.
I really liked your rhyme, rhythm and flow... it made for a very easy and compelling read.
Thank you for sharing... and all the very best to you in this 'My Faith' contest. A worthy contender.
With our thoughts we create...
Kind regards,
James.
Comment Written 07-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 07-Nov-2021
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Thanks, James. We need some magic to fill these churches up again.
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My pleasure and... so true Paul, the world needs as much magic as possible to regain some footing.
Comment from Wendy G
Yes it is good, worthwhile reposting. You have taken the reader with you as you discovered, entered and reminisced about the church and its story, and about the people who gave it life and meaning. The church is of course made up of people, more than just a building. Does the abandonment of the church signify a societal moving away from God? Where did my generation lose its way in declaring and standing up for eternal truths? Smooth metre and rhyme throughout this social commentary poem. Well done.
Wendy
reply by the author on 07-Nov-2021
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Yes it is good, worthwhile reposting. You have taken the reader with you as you discovered, entered and reminisced about the church and its story, and about the people who gave it life and meaning. The church is of course made up of people, more than just a building. Does the abandonment of the church signify a societal moving away from God? Where did my generation lose its way in declaring and standing up for eternal truths? Smooth metre and rhyme throughout this social commentary poem. Well done.
Wendy
Comment Written 06-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 07-Nov-2021
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Thanks, Wendy, for your review and observations.
Comment from RGstar
So you have my feedback Paul.
You projected the imagery, and it shone. You applied the poetry, and the aura came forth. Most importantly, you took us on a little journey, and we felt every emotion.
A lovely piece, and this should be up there fighting for the win.
This could be read by all, religious or non religious. The imagery is profound.
Well done.
My best wishes.
RGstar
reply by the author on 07-Nov-2021
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So you have my feedback Paul.
You projected the imagery, and it shone. You applied the poetry, and the aura came forth. Most importantly, you took us on a little journey, and we felt every emotion.
A lovely piece, and this should be up there fighting for the win.
This could be read by all, religious or non religious. The imagery is profound.
Well done.
My best wishes.
RGstar
Comment Written 06-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 07-Nov-2021
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Thanks for the review and kind words. One of my favorite poems.
Comment from Cathy M
I absolutely loved this poem. Churches these days are in decline. People have lost their way in faith. Your poem depicts that. My favorite stanza was: The altar stood in disrepair,
While shafts of sunlight filled the air
That filtered through those stained glass panes
To shed some light on God's remains,
reply by the author on 06-Nov-2021
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I absolutely loved this poem. Churches these days are in decline. People have lost their way in faith. Your poem depicts that. My favorite stanza was: The altar stood in disrepair,
While shafts of sunlight filled the air
That filtered through those stained glass panes
To shed some light on God's remains,
Comment Written 06-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 06-Nov-2021
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Thanks, Cathy. That's my favorite stanza, too.
Comment from robyn corum
Paul,
This is a really depressing little poem. I am sure that, during 2020, you might have come across many, many empty, dusty churches, unfortunately. It really makes me sad to consider what COVID may have done to our religious population. Thanks, friend.
reply by the author on 06-Nov-2021
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Paul,
This is a really depressing little poem. I am sure that, during 2020, you might have come across many, many empty, dusty churches, unfortunately. It really makes me sad to consider what COVID may have done to our religious population. Thanks, friend.
Comment Written 06-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 06-Nov-2021
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Thanks for the review, Robyn. I think you are right about the effects of COVID.
Comment from Seshadri_Sreenivasan
It appears the old church was standing as a monument to the past. Times change and nothing seems to last forever. I liked your poem which is tinged with melancholy.I love the flow and the rhyme and message. Thanks for sharing!
reply by the author on 06-Nov-2021
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It appears the old church was standing as a monument to the past. Times change and nothing seems to last forever. I liked your poem which is tinged with melancholy.I love the flow and the rhyme and message. Thanks for sharing!
Comment Written 06-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 06-Nov-2021
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Thanks, Seshadri. I guess it is a monument.
Comment from C. Gale Burnett
Paul, I am so glad you reposted this. It is VERY good, and I honestly think it to be exceptional. The best part of this poem for me was not only the abandonment of the church building itself, but the sad abandonment of our God.
As I read through the first time, I paused on stanza seven, 'But gathered dust upon the pews was one of many silent clues that hinted of a fruitless search for hungry souls to fill this church,' for I felt a SHIFT of thought here; a thought that softly drifted into a realm of 'the people were no longer interested in God nor had the desire to acknowledge or know Him.'
Your created imagery was a work of art in itself. I could see and feel that old church inside and out. I could hear that sound of silence. I too sensed God's disappointment.
Excellent rhyme and rhythm.
This is one of my favorites :)
Gale
reply by the author on 06-Nov-2021
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Paul, I am so glad you reposted this. It is VERY good, and I honestly think it to be exceptional. The best part of this poem for me was not only the abandonment of the church building itself, but the sad abandonment of our God.
As I read through the first time, I paused on stanza seven, 'But gathered dust upon the pews was one of many silent clues that hinted of a fruitless search for hungry souls to fill this church,' for I felt a SHIFT of thought here; a thought that softly drifted into a realm of 'the people were no longer interested in God nor had the desire to acknowledge or know Him.'
Your created imagery was a work of art in itself. I could see and feel that old church inside and out. I could hear that sound of silence. I too sensed God's disappointment.
Excellent rhyme and rhythm.
This is one of my favorites :)
Gale
Comment Written 06-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 06-Nov-2021
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Thank you, Gale. This is one of my favorites.
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You are so welcome, Paul :) One of my favorites too.
Comment from Mrs. KT
Very moving and relatable, Paul.
I often see country churches along the highways and byways of northern Michigan. Most are well-attended. But that is not the message you are sharing; yours is about the seemingly lack of faith in our country/world today... I have more faith today at 68 than I did at sixteen, yet I rarely attend church...
Thank you for sharing!
A beautiful rendering!
diane
reply by the author on 06-Nov-2021
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Very moving and relatable, Paul.
I often see country churches along the highways and byways of northern Michigan. Most are well-attended. But that is not the message you are sharing; yours is about the seemingly lack of faith in our country/world today... I have more faith today at 68 than I did at sixteen, yet I rarely attend church...
Thank you for sharing!
A beautiful rendering!
diane
Comment Written 05-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 06-Nov-2021
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I, also, have more faith than I did as a young man. I, also, do not attend church, although when I see those little country churches, I am tempted. Thanks for the review, Diane.
Comment from Ulla
Hi Paul, yes, it a melancholic picture you paint in your wonderful poem as you walk down a much forgotten path to a building that used to be a house of worship. I was quite taken with your poem. Ulla:)))
reply by the author on 05-Nov-2021
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Hi Paul, yes, it a melancholic picture you paint in your wonderful poem as you walk down a much forgotten path to a building that used to be a house of worship. I was quite taken with your poem. Ulla:)))
Comment Written 05-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 05-Nov-2021
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Thanks, Ulla. I'm afraid that there are too many forgotten paths that lead to churches.
