Becoming An Atheist

It doesn’t happen all at once, But with the measured tread of rational thought; Shedding the comfort blanket, Embracing the cosmos as it is Without the wishful thinking, Cleansing the intellect, Sharpening the senses, the forensic faculty, The spirit of enquiry. Perhaps it’s sad to toss away old certainties, The homely prayer learned at your granny’s knee, The rituals, empty now, emotional attachment To music, candle-light and incense Which sanctify and justify medieval stones, But the rewards by far outweigh the trifling loss. The universe is enough, dynamic, terrifying, Chaotic, but moving to the music of Molecular synthesis and disintegration, Attraction and repulsion; Worlds growing and shrinking, over time scales Way beyond imagining. And you’re a part of it! You’ve won The greatest lottery in life by being born! Enjoy! Exult In the excitement of another spring, In friendship, love and babies, In the power of life itself.