The problem with being an atheist

is the lack

of imagination.

no one to talk with

when we were first begun

to share the pain

of dying

the joy of living

to delight in our first words

our singing notes

our pictures on the walls.

 

The problem with being an atheist

is the lack of gratitude

having no one to thank for being here

nothing to join hands with

and dance the dance of life.

 

The problem of being an atheist

is the lack

of creation

the determination

that we shall be

that we art that

that we are formed

with intention,

with a smile

a deliberation

that you are you

and no one else.

 

The problem with being an atheist

is the lack  of possibilities

a world to come into being

a kingdom to be worked for

blood and sweated for

any hope of future travels

curtailed with science.

 

The problem with being an atheist

is the lack  of mystery

why the Boudhi tree and not a palace garden,

why the woman at the well

and not a real estate agent in Vaucluse

why the air becomes the Holy Spirit

and causes us to shake a little

to grin a little

to write in the dust

and find songlines in the earth.

 

the problem with being an atheist

is the lack …

 

© Jorie Ryan.  This poem was first published in Eureka Street in 2011.

Jorie Ryan is an Anglican minister in Australia.