Heaven? ? ? - Poem by G.R. Gaus

Since I first heard the word,
Somewhere back in church;
A mystery, that soon prevailed,
Beckoned on, my search.

An innocent child, learns from fear,
With heaven, must come hell;
With purgatory, in between,
The priests, and nuns would tell.

Somewhere in my fragile mind,
God's glory, deep was hidden;
Over run, by Satan's fire,
Thoughts, became forbidden.

I found myself, afraid of God,
His anger at my sin;
Confession only added guilt,
Felt emptiness, within.

Growing up in later years,
Escaped, the clergy's victim;
Quiet, alone, in open space,
Relaxed, with time to listen.

Church became, just where I am,
Religion, was based on fear;
Finally found, my way to heaven,
Not in the sky; but down here.