"Rather"
(a spiritual reflection)
By Gilbert Trillana

It's neither the Skullcap on your head,
nor the Turban that wraps mine.
Neither the accent of your voice,
Most people pass as 'unrefined.'
It's neither the black suit you wear,
nor the slung white robe I use.
Rather, it's the beers we both drank,
the cups of coffee we both ordered,
the pot roasts we dined with family,
The good times we both have...

It's neither the size of my Holy Bible,
nor the weight of your Koran.
His arcane scriptures of Mormons,
nor the immensity of her Torah.
It's neither my practice of Buddhism,
nor your simple use of Zen.
Rather, it's the Billiard sessions we had,
the cues we all have broken,
All the pretty women by the next pool,
to which we've pleasantly happily spoken.

It's neither his faith in Hinduism,
nor her keen knowledge of Nietzche.
His stoic sense of Taoism,
nor his staunch belief in Sartre.
It's neither his tongue of Marxism,
nor her seductive taste for Calvin.
Rather, it was the bed they both shared,
the embraces they both cherished.
Their seemingly warm, ever-loving kiss
that works just like onions on relish.

It is never about his Catholic Bible,
nor her New International Bible,
His Living Translation Bible,
nor her New King James Bible.
It is never of his Lutheran,
nor even her Methodist Bible.
Rather, it was the party last summer,
down the ranch with all those tables.
All the Gin and Tonic, Beer and Tequilas
consumed while we're still able.

It's neither I am high with Jesus,
nor you're crazy over Allah.
Neither Elephant-god Ganesh is smiling,
Nor does the Almighty Jehovah.
It's neither your faith in Lao-Tzu,
nor Confucious, nor even Buddha...
Rather, it's the night at the bowling alley,
the strikes and the spares.
It's the keeping of scores while laughing
from all of suffering and despair.

It is neither the shells,
it is neither the bullets,
nor the very guns that fires them...
It is neither the blood,
it is neither the bones
which covers the ground that molds them.
It is neither the war of millions
lay the deaths of those who believe...

Rather, it is the Love of each
and every one of us,
to whom all His blessings we receive.

It's all about the times we've known
'divisions' don't exist.
That 'Love alone has conquered,'
such a fact no one resists.
That each endearing moment
in all our lives
lay wrapped in a single bind...

...a bind that brings eternal life
for all of humankind.

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Gilbert Trillana is a free-lance designer/illustrator, and interim art
director for Tinig.com

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