0011 For The Godless But Good-Natured Poem by Michael Shepherd

If mankind has dethroned the ancient gods,
then what has mankind brought upon itself?

since - no more prayer, requests – no special treats
for those who offer up humility?

no god above the lesser gods – the One
who favoured those who followed ‘our’ stern creed;

no longer faith, or hope, or charity,
no longer blest by loving-kindliness?

what shall we place upon those empty thrones
and still avoid the legion of Man’s sins?

those virtues which our forefathers saw as good –
which made the gods to smile – have they now changed

and Lying, Cheating, Killing, our new gods?
it cannot be.. so what of Reason’s rule?

and what of Love – that even the gods themselves
declared the essence, binding ‘them’ and ‘us’?

so Reason says – what godly things we sought
by some divine decree declared ‘out there’

we must now seek within ourselves; as did
the Greeks; as do the Hindus now;

and find a glorious god within, at rest
until we waken him or her, and shine

as godly good in our most inward self;
believe ourselves so wholly perfect thus,

remembering in ourselves, magnificence
which pours out glory as those gods declared..

but where to start? with gratitude; and praise;
for all those things which so enrich our days;

for thanks and praise in life stand by themself;
they call forth love, which makes all things, oneself.