After Fasting Forty Eons in Religions’ Wilderness

After Fasting Forty Eons in Religions’ Wilderness

Modern poetry modern verse contemporary poetry contemporary verse modern poem contemporary poem

The time for certain songs is past for most

Of us.  While having ripened, we have lost

The need for certainty.  We cannot host

Belief in Sinai stone or Pentecost.

We wish that we could act beneath the flames

Of tongues of fire or, better, holy force

Inside a temple, best, though, sacred names

Unspeakable and from the highest source

Beyond the realms of iridescent Christs

And Buddhas.  Somehow minds have slowly grown

Resentful of religions’ vision heists.

We do not need a mystic on a throne.

  Instead we long for facts to show the way.

    We want to know, to face the truth, not pray.

Phillip Whidden