#133
November 22, 2011 § 19 Comments
They say, if
God is
omnipotent –
(if?)
and omniscient,
(if?)
Could he make a rock
too big
for He, Himself
to lift?
For if
He can’t,
He can’t do all
But if
He can, He’s not
omnipotent
after all.
An “experiment
in thought”
they say, but
ought
to call it
doubter’s mock –
what kind
of god
can’t lift
a rock?
Silly
mortals.
He’d make
a rock
too big
too heavy
For even Him
to lift –
then He’d
simply
reach out
a finger
and lower
the universe
a bit
Authored Angioplasty 
Brilliant finale to this poem.
Great poem. If anyone is interested in the thought experiment itself, let me know. Cheers.
I agree with Martin Shone, great line!
I shared this on my FB wall. I will probably get blasted by someone, but I don’t care. Its so true, sometimes people don’t want an answer to thier question, they just want to argue.
After reading my email version of this my first thought was ‘brilliant’. But someone already got there first :). The central lines “Silly / mortals.” say it all, and the whole thing is a real treat. I reckon (hope) God would laugh as well. thanks, –D
I enjoyed the little thought process especially the silly mortals bit 😀
I wasnt very sure about the end, what’s the reference to lowering the universe?
Outstanding. What a great way to start my day. Thank you!
I laughed at the punch line!
I really, really enjoyed this. Wonderful view on the power of god. And I really liked the rhythm and feel to is. Great piece.
I’m not sure I have much to add, but I’m a new commenter so I thought I’d add my name to the chorus–good use of punctuation (I love the ‘(if?)’s!) and great voice/word choice.
This piece is so thoughtful in its theme, yet so simply executed. If more poets (and, indeed, people!) could be like you, I can’t help but think we would all be a bit better for it.
Yes, yes! I love how you bring the doubt and confusion down to the infinite point of ultimate finality. Oh how we run amok in our four-walled universe while God holds the cardboard box…He must laugh!
I adore this! Fantastic! And by the way I love your blog completely, so I was excited when I drew your name as the winner of my World’s Most Generous Blog giveaway! Send me you address and I get 2 $5 Starbucks gift cards in the mail to you!
http://www.benjity.wordpress.com
God presumably is infinitely strong so could lift a rock that was infinitely heavy and since he is infinitely powerful he could presumably make this rock, but since he is infinitely intelligent he wont, because he doesn’t want to get a hernia. Good Poem Jessica 🙂
This is so cleverly written and with a great, unexpected ending. Really good work.
this is fucking gorgeous.
wow, brilliant stuff…
If I could write something as good as this I would be a very happy poet.
Awesome. 🙂
super dope!
This is so spectacularly written. I love the (if?)s!