Oblivion, Thou Dark Star

*****This poem was inspired through the idea of there being no life after death, or the belief in atheism. In recent years more and more young people are commiting suicide; recent studies have shown that there is a commonality between atheism and suicide. My personal belief is that atheism is anti-philosophy; it is not so much the disbelief in God that bothers me (and I'm a theist) --- but what is the alternative? If one digs enough (like this poem implies) there can be no morality or value or meaning to life if we are born, live and die and we are no more; this feeds the subconscious ego which can justify all manner of evil, including extremes as war, racism, indifference --- suicide. I had a friend who was a staunch atheist and now millionaire ---- very high IQ --- when cornered he would admit there was 'something behind life'. It makes my skin crawl to think that some atheists may be telling their children that they'll never see their grandmother again or even themselves after death --- it would be less damaging to 'lie' and say there is a heaven; I think in many ways this is why Christ and others mentioned paradise and heaven because of the psychological consequences of the contrary***** Oblivion, thou dark star; so lithe thy face... so shadowless among the stars doth thy nativity; But a word in the hearth of gods and heroes and the scheme of all things --- are thee but a word? So naked thy garb... nothing --- to be ashamed of, but the sanction of fools; 'There is no god... only I, who cannot but speak --- save through the naysayers of life; if they are born, live and die --- and no more they be, like I --- to save the world entire... will be like I, to destroy it will matter not; or to save it --- for no hero shall remain and speak again...' Oblivion, sometimes so tempting... to accept thy endless Kiss of Death; a great sleep where no bed hath a softer slumber... no pain... But fear I the long wake, for what horror shall come of me, should I long to rise again, and cannot?