Too close or a Lifetime Away

* The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this short story are fictitious. No identification with actual persons (living or deceased), places, buildings, and products is intended or should be inferred.

 This story is a work of Fiction. By the artist Jeila Ortega, me. Hope you will like and follow Twisted Art Gallery on Facebook and Instagram. Now without further ado:

* So, pray to God

                       because you know

                                                      you are

                                                                  too close to Hell

                                                    and a lifetime away from Heaven.  

Stop

                     pray

                                                     Let the world fast-forward

                                    stay still     

                                                                   ever faithful

                                because you know

                                                                   the world is

                                                                                  too close to Hell

                                                       and a lifetime away from heaven

Breathe

             As darkness emerges

                                                        Because you know

                                                     You are now

                                                                       Too close to Heaven

                                                And a lifetime away from Hell.

This poem captures my reflections on the spiritual journey, oscillating between the nearness to Hell and Heaven. It mirrors the constant struggle we face, balancing between the precipice of moral danger and the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment. Through the repeated urging to "pray" and "stay still, ever faithful," I wanted to emphasize the crucial role of faith and perseverance in navigating this path.

 Accompanying this poem is a digital art piece that visually represents this journey. The final stanza's shift in perspective—from being close to Hell to nearing Heaven—illustrates the growth and progress possible within our spiritual journey, even as we encounter challenges ("darkness") along the way. The imagery of breathing and maintaining calm represents the quest for inner peace and stability amidst the surrounding chaos, which is echoed in the visual elements of the artwork.

* The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this short story are fictitious. No identification with actual persons (living or deceased), places, buildings, and products is intended or should be inferred.