As if …

This month, I’m excited to share an offering from my Uncle’s new collection of poems: The Life That I Have. I have the delightful privilege of knowing Uncle Knute as a member of the family, but most people know him as a well-published poet. Here is the author biography featured on his publisher’s web site (Salmon Poetry):

Knute Skinner was born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1929, but he has had a home in Ireland since 1963. In America he received a PhD from Iowa University, and he has taught English and creative writing at Iowa and at Western Washington University. Salmon Poetry has published nine previous books: eight poetry collections and a memoir. In addition, books and chapbooks of poetry have appeared from The Dolmen Press, Burton International, Northwoods Press, Aquila Press, Pierian Press, The Goliards Press, The Folly Press, Trask House Books, Pudding House Publications, Pavement Saw Press, and Lapwing Publications.  A limited edition of his poems, translated into Italian by Roberto Nassi, appeared from Damocle Edizioni, Chioggia, Italy. Skinner has conducted poetry workshops in Ireland and in America. He lives in Killaspuglonane, County Clare with his spouse, Edna Faye Kiel. 

Due to my favored nephew status, Knute sent me an autographed copy of his latest book, and I’ve been reading through it and savoring the glimpses that he provides into the deeper nature of things, especially the ordinary bits of life that you might easily mistake for nothing if you are not paying attention. Among the many remarkable poems, I paused a long time over one entitled, “As If.” With permission, I will share it with you.

As If

“Try to live as if there were a god.“
–Muriel Rukeyser

Choose Yahweh, Jesus, Allah … any will do;
and once this god’s instated in your thought,
select whatever tenets you can live by.
Discard the others; you won’t annoy the god.
(They teem with contradictions anyway.)

The benefits will be substantial, for
in time you will feel good about yourself
and in addition may find common cause
with a loose community of kindred souls.
Shreds of belief may even cling to you.

For me, this one of the most lucid and succinct insights into religious practice that has crossed my path. Anticipating objection, I understand that the poem leaves a lot out and may strike one as a bit cynical. “Contradictions” or “Shreds of belief” seem to stop short of affirming the Truth as a devoted disciple of a particular religion may experience it, but therein lies the genius of this poem.

The voice is detached and the observer takes a neutral, third-party point of view. There is no judgement here … nothing but simple, matter of fact truth. Why do I see it that way?

• Our religion, if we have one, is often the one passed along to us by our parents; depending on where and to whom you are borne, you could easily be a Yahweh, Jesus or Allah follower
• Each religion has something to offer whether or not you think they all are vehicles headed to the same destination
• By choosing a religion and living according to its tenets as best you can understand or abide by, spiritual benefits will flow to you; I’ve tried two and know this through experience
• A spiritual journey is best undertaken in the company of others and the fellow travelers in your religion will provide companionship for you body and soul
• And, you may end up actually developing some convictions about ultimate reality

I think trying to live as if there is a god is wise counsel. It doesn’t much matter which one you pick. Try it and see for yourself.