Gods

“You shall not take his name in vain!”

This is where we cross paths. A fine gentleman but with misunderstanding. Lovely suit, a calm demeanour. The collar strokes the chin like a horizontal extension of God. Confession. Confess, he says. 

“For what should I confess?”

“Brother, tell me your sins. Atone and feel free.”

“Feel or be free”?

“That’s up to you.”

“ Tell me why I am here”

“Son, you are not a prisoner here.”

“Feels like it.”

“Relax. Be calm. Whatever you need will be provided. We are not imprisoning you. We are just curious. You are godless.”

Got it now. This is dangerous. Smile and pretend to be part of this charade. Thanks but no thanks. Zealots. How do I get out of this?

´”Here now, you are under god’s roof. He feeds and nurtures you. He sends your praises when you’re down. HE is the one keeping you alive. Without him, you are nothing.”

“I watch nature come back to life after the winter curse.”

“It is God’s work. He works in seasons. Be grateful for that.”

This partitioned alcove is suffocating. Dark and hazardous.

“Why would he care which season it is? He is watching over us, come rain or shine, right? And do not tell me he moves in mysterious ways.” 

“Son…”

“Do not call me son.”

“Brother, join us and let his words breathe through you”

I’ve seen road accidents. Young pups taken from their parents. Bone cancer in children. Transplants gone wrong. Mistakes made by surgeons, through no fault of their own. Death to defy all gods. Prove it.

Words best unsaid. Bring me your god and I will listen. Prove your worth. In the name of god. Your god. What a word to terrify the masses. It works and the people are civilised. Almost.

“Deny your urges and you will feel as one.”

Sure. Utterly meaningless.

Outside, the wind splats green leaves over the yard. The sun hides behind bullying clouds but shimmers for lunchtime. 

“This is not God’s work. It’s random. You can’t predict this. Look. It rained this morning and now now the sun shines. This is nature.”

“Son, it is his will. We cannot predict the weather. If we lived on some African plain, sure, we could split the rain and sun but here in the north? He has chosen us for better things. We are to strive and suffer. It makes us stronger.”

The walls are closing in. There could be rot. An infestation. Just what you need. Mouldy rock sputtering its filth. Lung disease from earth’s core. What a way to go.

“God created our world and you must appreciate what you have. Darkness and light. HE didn’t confess to dishing out easy lives. We are present and we follow his path. Good and bad.”

“But we evolve.”

“We evolve in God’s path.

“What does that mean?”

“Son, the reason we live as we do, as humans, is to follow HIS word. Moses and the Commandments. Exodus? Hebrew wisdom. 

“I think times have changed somewhat.”

“Son, I am parsimonious with language.”

“That you are.”

“Then go. Go out onto the street. Be sucked in. Let the adverts drain your pockets. Your are nothing but a shameless consumer. Go on, file in with masses and good luck to you!”

“You have to eat too, right?”

“Organic! Everything we eat is organically grown. Look back. The greenhouse. All organic.”

“You’re going to let me go?”

“Son, you are not a prisoner here. It’s clear you are a lost soul. I will pray for you. I will pray.”

“Adaptive radiation. You will not budge but Darwin proved otherwise.”

“Hah! Darwin. He scuttled around sating himself on bugs and vermin. He was sick to his stomach in the last days of his life.”

“Yes, but adaptive radiation does prove quite…”

“Enough. Get out. Take a bread roll with you if you must. There’s mustard, too.”

“I thank you kindly.”

“We have chores to do. Get out of my sight.”

“You know, the finches…”

“Out.”