GOD IS HERE
I listened to the altar priest,
dressed in fine robes of white, red and gold.
He, with his voice so holy,
preached upon cold, stone steps
laid before the wooden crucifixion cross;
a lamp of God,
speaking to those clustered within.
He sung, in tones both soft and strong:
Our God is thus,
our God is thus-not,
our God is just,
our God is love,
our God is the sole God,
our God is Creator of the All.
Be silent, have the faith, question not,
for in the end all shall be set to right,
all shall be well,
evil shall be banished and the tread-upon set free.
I listened and I saw
mankind’s path of selfish gain,
unnecessary destruction and recurring pain,
seeming deaf to words spoken in the churches of old.
I saw this message
as pitifully incomplete,
a travesty laid falsely upon mankind,
for words and faith are not enough.
Though darkness was clearly upon me,
I saw on earth a gift so great,
a feeling prevailing over all unpleasant things,
right now, right here, not away far nor yet to be.
An embodied goodness so deep and pure,
called Hope and Wisdom.
For within a life founded upon Hope and Wisdom,
we learn about our suffering,
when it is necessary and useful
and when it is not.
But beneath all suffering, glows a radiant flame,
consuming all liabilities and foolishness,
cheap fodder for this eternal flame;
just ask Pandora!
For in Hope and Wisdom,
and not by fancy words or promises unproven,
I know that God is Here,
filling my heart with gladness and cheer,
God’s voice so sweet and clear,
guidance to my earthly ears.
What happens is what happens
and that is quite clear.
Find strength in what you can do
through conscious choice and right attitude,
look for God Within and not to the world Without.