AT THE SIGHT OF CARMELITE

by TERENCE AARON

They built an architectural marvel,

(Yet I no longer live in it)

They told stories for my soul,

(Yet my soul has no desire to listen)

They laid the floor with marble,

(Yet my eyes see that as no feat)

They took me in when I’m cold,

(Yet I’d rather wait for the flowers to blossom)

//

All these rhymes and gospels,

All to me are rituals.

I still love Carmelite Chapel,

But only for nostalgia and the people

//

I no longer live in it,

(Yet I do not reject their love)

I no longer have any desire to listen,

(Yet I try to understand their morality)

I no longer am fooled by your artistic feats,

(Yet I will admit they are great oeuvres)

I’d rather stand outside for the flowers to blossom

(Yet I won’t stop people if company is what they yearn)

//

All these rhymes and gospels,

All to me are rituals.

I am in love with St Joseph’s Cathedral

Maybe not mass, but we’ll meet at weddings and funerals

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NOTE: The picture above was taken a week before my father passed away at Carmerlite Chapel, Kuching. His funeral service was at St Joseph's Cathedral. 





This week, Pope Francis has also said that atheists can also go to heaven if they do good deeds in this world.





I have no idea if my father was religious towards the end of his life but he did feel some comfort in the chapel when his sister (my aunt) took him there. I am not religious but I am not opposed to religion, if it gives some psychological comfort for people nor would I automatically shut people down if they were to talk about religion with me. 





With that being said, if my Catholic upbringing was right, then I can rest in the comfort that my father can go to the right place even if he wasn't religious towards the end of his life.