What if what’s up there
isn’t heaven?
What if hell is not below?
What if both are not places
but presences —
things that live in the spaces
all around us,
shifting their nature
according to our thoughts?
What if we know nothing
about death or dying?
What if we don’t go anywhere —
we’re just absorbed into atmosphere?
And what if that atmosphere
is already full
of all we call heaven
and all we call hell —
which means, while we’re alive,
we’re walking inside
whatever is inhabiting our head?
What if?
📷 Header Photo: Lake Houdraman at dawn, Quilpie. Taken by me, coffee in hand, lazily ignoring all my “proper” camera gear behind me. iPhone did the job just fine.
Thanks Kate.
I really like the way you’ve developed and used these ideas to write such a thoughtful yet accessible poem.
Regards,
DD
Thanks 🙏 I believe it to be true
My mind sometimes drifts into similar territory.
🙏
The drifts are the best
beautiful piece Kate.
as maligned as artificial intelligence is…i often have to wonder if our memories simply take on a stronger sense of existence in our head (conjured up in the same way AI works) and that when we die, it is all that we can hold onto and sort of mold whilst time becomes a non factor a la the movie Inception. taking alot of pictures and videos reassures me if this possibility is true. and, in large part, i have left the clerisy of the church as something of a hedge should their ideas be proven wrong.
i often have these thoughts that when we die, we all go to this dark and miserable swamp where visibility is barely beyond your outstretched hand. and everywhere around you, there are voices screaming in agony, wailing that “it all was worthless in the end”. :/ Mike
Well crikeys Mike that isn’t a very nice thought. A dark and miserable swamp – no thanks. I think along the same lines of “energy can never die” we are merely transformed. You need to get off the lollies mate – i have imaginings like that when I have been eating too many lollies hahah
it’s a fear that i stumbled onto some years back and surfaces once in a blue. i sure wouldn’t want it either! to me, it would be nice if the afterlife had an eternal supply of lollies….you do mean the good ones though right? it’s not slang for anything else? lol
Hahaha no it’s not slang and of course the good ones but the good ones are entirely dependent on taste – jersey caramels, pineapple lumps, chocolate anything…jelly beans you can buy them at the pharmacy and somewhere it clicked in my head that their medicinal – now I can’t get it out so I buy a packet when I’m in there.
What if? Oh, dear friend, your words ALWAYS resonate with me. “whatever is inhabiting our head?” Just yesterday a friend and i talked about this walk being both heaven and hell.
Sending love and hugs Kate. You’re words are spectacular! Just like you!
Karla you are such a balm for the heart. I hope you are staying as well as can be expected.
I’m doing my best, dear Kate. My youngest son and his family will be here in about an hour. Many days of celebrations. I’ll stay at a pace of peace and make each day count. I know you do the same. I’m so thankful for you.❤️X
oh dear: I could go down rabbit holes with those thoughts ; so many what ifs — but thoughtfully penned ==
Thanks John and yes we can dive down so many rabbit holes and in the end – we still won’t know.
beautifull picture
Thanks 🙏
Wow
💕
Preach it Kate! I’m with you! 💗
Good to have your company Cindy 💕
My pleasure of course, Kate! 💕