O Heavenly Salvation

[rhythmaning]

I don’t believe in god.

Indeed, I believe there isn’t a god.

But sometimes there are certain things that make me wonder.

Blue skies, for instance – why are they so beautiful? Perhaps – probably – there is an evolutionary reason: particular wavelengths, maybe (but would that explain why we find them beautiful?). Or mountains: a broad view of snowy mountains can be moving.

I was walking along the river on Tuesday, a beautifully sunny morning with crystal-blue skies. I was listening to the radio as I walked. A beautifully haunting a cappella choir called The Persuasions singing a Kurt Weill song, O Heavenly Salvation – a spiritual (as if the title didn't give that away). It was quite stunning, moving – and very powerful - and not a style of music I would normally listen to. It literally stopped me in my tracks.

Comments

[deililly.livejournal.com]

Even if you don't believe in god you have to be lifted by other peoples joy in it I think.

I remember that feeling with the right music and looking out from Arthur's Seat. It was truly magical. I can't remember the music now but the whole feeling small with really beautiful world spinning around me up there did stick. Feels like you are looking into forever.

[rhythmaning.livejournal.com]

You are right; the volume of great architecture, art and music created in the name of god makes people believing in her almost worthwhile!

[itchyfidget.livejournal.com]

Interestingly, you're the second friend this week who has posted something along these lines (the other was this.

And yes.

[rhythmaning.livejournal.com]

I thought your comment at the end of the link was rather lovely. The poem, too. I guess if I believed in god, I would say god was in everything; since I don't, maybe it is the wonder of nature or the world or something.

*goes to join the pagans*

[itchyfidget.livejournal.com]

Yes, I know what you mean. It's mostly things in nature - skies, trees, etc. Sometimes (not very often), it's people :)

[rhythmaning.livejournal.com]

Actually, this is also interesting because it is the second time in a couple of days that I have read a poem; I generally don't "do" poetry, but yesterday there was a poem in the Scotsman about Orkney - where a couple of friends are at the moment - and then happybat. Synchonicity perhaps...

[itchyfidget.livejournal.com]

I was going to say that synchronicity killed the cat, but I think Frankie would be rather upset at the idea, so I won't.

I don't do much poetry (though I do have a great weakness for Ogden Nash) but happybat has been on something of a poetry jag lately, and I'm happy to have been swept along.