a new life without magic

as far as we know,
this is the only life we have.
you can be of a spiritual
background and still understand this
for what it is.
no one knows for sure where we go
when we die,
and no one will ever know for certain;
it is the final great mystery.

the hope that some people harbor
for reward in an afterlife is beyond
our natural faculties.
they use this as a weapon to justify
their actions, to register some
form
of accountability for the injustices
done
in this life.
they use it as an excuse to equal out
an existence that falls short of expectations
without evidence that goes beyond
ancient tombs and 'special' insight.
they take for granted this gift of
existence and turn a blind eye
to the wrongs that are
done unto their fellow beings.

there is sadness in inaction,
in allowing specialized groups
of fanatics to control the handful
of decades we are given.

the opportunity is now.

we have a responsibility to make the most
of the time we are allotted without
using unseen gods to advocate
ill treatment and servitude
to an indentured religion
that asks us to worship slavery.

we are individuals connected at the very fabric
of our makeup to all other sentient beings
across the globe,
and it is within our capacity
to ensure an equitable existence
to those who share in our experiences
as well as to those
who cannot see beyond their own traditions
and astigmatic perceptions.

as far as we know,
we only have one chance to create a conducive
standard of living, here and now.

if we are able to make life comfortable for one
another, it is our duty to do so.

let us live our lives as if there is no tomorrow.