Saturday, February 23, 2013

Prompt #138 – Heaven


Heaven is the generally understood term for a transcendent place inhabited by God, metaphysical beings, and the souls of the departed. Heaven is often considered a higher place, a holy place, a paradise set in juxtaposition to its opposite, which is hell. Religions hold various views on what heaven is and how souls enter it; some consider heaven a spiritual “place,” and some claim that there are several heavens. Many faith systems suggest that heaven is a condition of spiritual aliveness and closeness to God.

Heaven may be the physical heavens that we see in the sky (sun, moon, stars) or a place where those who have led good lives go after death. Heaven may be a metaphorical term used to symbolize any kind of perfection. The concept of heaven is one that defies scientific proof, and whether one believes in any “standard” or “other” definition of heaven or not is a very personal thing.

For this prompt, I’d like you to write about your concept of heaven (either as an afterlife, as a spiritual “place,” as another plane of existence, or as a metaphor). You may take a serious approach or you may choose to be funny.

Things to Think about before Writing:

What does heaven mean to you?
What images does the word conjure up?
Is there a “heaven on earth” for you?
How would you describe heaven?
Who would you like to meet in heaven?
Who’s the most “heavenly” person you know?
Is there a “heaven on earth” that you’ve visited or would like to visit?

What’s the opposite of heaven for you?

Be sure to read the example poems to get an idea of where other poets have gone with the concept of “heaven.”

Examples:



15 comments:

  1. A 'heavenly" post, Adele! (Sorry, I couldn't resist that one.)

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  2. Máire Ó Cathail (Ireland)February 25, 2013 at 8:45 AM

    Lovely, Adele! A wonderful concept to ponder.

    Máire Ó Cathail (Ireland)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Maire! We're inching toward St. Patrick's Day and looking forward to spring!

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  3. It's a challenge to conceptualize heaven, but we all have some sense of what it means to us. Great idea to work that into a poem!

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  4. full pantry of food
    abundant toilet paper
    above and below

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    Replies
    1. I'm laughing out loud! Heaven, indeed! (And so succinctly put.)

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    2. Oh, so funny! What a great spin!

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  5. joyful songbirds come
    welcoming you through the gates
    no more pain no more

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    Replies
    1. A lovely vision of what might be!

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  6. When I Pass Over

    When I die
    of course
    I hope I won't go to Hell

    While I'm alive
    I pray to get out of the Hell I am in

    Mostly
    I hope I won't have to
    spend eternity
    with people
    I can't stand
    here on earth

    published in International Library of Poetry, and poetry.com

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    Replies
    1. A universal hope! Thanks for sharing, Risa!

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    2. Funny and profound at the same time! Thanks, Risa!

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  7. This is a prompt that seems, at first blush, easy, but it invites interesting thought and deep reflection.

    I used it in the classroom, and my students' responses were really amazing.

    Thanks, Adele!

    Rich

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  8. Thanks, Jamie, Adele and all others who read and commented!

    Risa

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