If mankind has dethroned the ancient gods, <br />then what has mankind brought upon itself? <br /> <br />since - no more prayer, requests – no special treats <br />for those who offer up humility? <br /> <br />no god above the lesser gods – the One <br />who favoured those who followed ‘our’ stern creed; <br /> <br />no longer faith, or hope, or charity, <br />no longer blest by loving-kindliness? <br /> <br />what shall we place upon those empty thrones <br />and still avoid the legion of Man’s sins? <br /> <br />those virtues which our forefathers saw as good – <br />which made the gods to smile – have they now changed <br /> <br />and Lying, Cheating, Killing, our new gods? <br />it cannot be.. so what of Reason’s rule? <br /> <br />and what of Love – that even the gods themselves <br />declared the essence, binding ‘them’ and ‘us’? <br /> <br />so Reason says – what godly things we sought <br />by some divine decree declared ‘out there’ <br /> <br />we must now seek within ourselves; as did <br />the Greeks; as do the Hindus now; <br /> <br />and find a glorious god within, at rest <br />until we waken him or her, and shine <br /> <br />as godly good in our most inward self; <br />believe ourselves so wholly perfect thus, <br /> <br />remembering in ourselves, magnificence <br />which pours out glory as those gods declared.. <br /> <br />but where to start? with gratitude; and praise; <br />for all those things which so enrich our days; <br /> <br />for thanks and praise in life stand by themself; <br />they call forth love, which makes all things, oneself.<br /><br />Michael Shepherd<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/0011-for-the-godless-but-good-natured/
