FOR THIS I PRAY

FOR THIS I PRAY

As most people see it, I don’t believe in heaven or hell.

I just can't buy the bill of goods man has had to sell.

I'm not into religion and for me that's OK.

I just hope when it's all said and done, I'm wrong . . . for this I pray.

No matter what you've heard and no matter what I've said,

When it's time for me to go, I want to go peacefully in my bed.

There's not much that I believe in, I'm just trying to say.

But when I slip into the dark, I hope there is a light . . . for this I pray.

Why do men need the hope of heaven or the fear of hell to do what's right.

Why do we need to feel the glory of salvation or the dread of fright?

My God would love me like a father loves his child and love me more every day.

I hope we are here to live, love, and learn for our eternal souls . . . for this I pray.

To kill in the name of God by any name smells just as bad.

To kill for a God that you claim is more merciful is just plain sad.

If I have to kill in the name of God, then heaven is not where I want to stay.

If there is a heaven, you should get there by loving your fellow man . . . for this I pray.

From early on there were stories we were told.

They made it all look so great, we were all sold.

It started out with you better be good or you won't get a present on this day.

Bad boys and girls are passed over, so I go to bed hoping I was good . . . for this I pray.

The Tooth Fairy, if I was a good little fellow,

Would take my tooth I lost and leave money under my pillow.

As soon as I questioned if he was real, the Tooth Fairy went away.

What else could be a lie; I just want the truth . . . for this I pray.

Then there was the Easter Bunny that would hop in through the darkness of night

Bringing baskets of eggs, candy, and toys for the children's delight.

If you're bad the Easter Bunny won't stop here, the grownups would say.

I really want the Easter bunny to stop at my house so . . . for this I pray.

Then Santa Clause is coming to town and he's watching who's naughty and nice.

If you want any presents you better be full of sugar and spice.

If you're bad, all you will get is a lump of coal, and Santa don't play.

I don't want Santa to see me when I'm bad . . . for this I pray.

 I'm starting to see a pattern to all the lies when the preacher says heaven waits.

If you're good, you'll get to meet St. Peter at the Golden Gates.

At the end if you've been bad, hell is the price you have to pay.

It all seems like another bedtime story but I want heaven to be real . . . for this I pray.

STANLEY HENDRIX

9/30/10

 My book of poems "DEEP DARK SECRETS" is available online at WWW.PUBLISHAMERICA.COM, WWW.BOOKSAMILLION.COM, WWW.BARNESANDNOBLE.COM, WWW.AMAZON.COM,and WWW.BORDERS.COM