THE ATHEIST

 

                          

                 

                                            

1       He clearly says “In God’s existence I do not trust

About obscure things my time I do not waste

Why should I? nor I believe in mysterious fate;      

Make others safe and happy before I turn to dust

Like distant stars God is beyond my grasp

Why should I argue with others and gasp?

All creatures live and ultimately pass

Away; none can stop this; none can surpass

This process; so, let me live and make best

Use of my life; no use to fume and fret.” 

 

2     Instead of bothering about gods unseen

Our neighbors and other creatures I care

So many struggle for necessities bare

So many beasts struggle for fodder green

Let me be practical and my help extend

On superfluous things why should I spend

Though we can’t alleviate their troubles entire

Let me contribute my mite though not all they desire.

Let me be humane enough and show concern

Of course, life’s journey is full of twists and turns.” 

 

3       “Let me be down-to-earth; not aspiring for stars

Or planets or fictitious heaven and hell

Let me care for this earth where we dwell

Let me not pollute this precious sphere and mar

Her bounteous gifts, her indwellers, birds and beasts

Respect Nature but show some concern at least

In making others happy true joy we relish

Have some civic sense and not be selfish

Not destroy and disturb her beauty supreme

We can’t re-create Nature though trivial it seems.

 

4       Let me be humane enough to show concern

For others and help them as far as I can

Not selfish and destructive but live like a man;

Though life’s course is full of twists and turns

In the name of superstitions let me not torture

Our fellow creatures but with love let me nurture;

Nature’s selfless and liberal love we find everywhere

Can’t we be thankful and nourish Her with care?

What you find in worshipping idols and stones

I find in selfless service of living beings alone." 

 

5       “Let me nourish this earth with much care and prime

Let me protect all creatures and not waste

And we suffer utmost before it is too late

Her gifts, an unpardonable and inhuman crime;

Let me be of some use as far as I can

Not be selfish and destructive, but live like a man

With so-called scholars I would not like to debate

Though not bring Nature back to Her pristine state.

To fulfill our needs on society so much we depend

A little concern and care to it can’t we extend?”

 

6          “They who claim themselves as devotees great

Try to appease gods with gifts and gold

Prayers and sacrifices they perform and hold

To get their wishes fulfilled they satiate

With rituals and rites as if they make a deal

For their own sake and not for public weal

They measure their devotion with worldly things

For the struggling poor, relief they do not to bring

About people's worries, they never show compassion

   Without selfless love what is devotion?”

 

      7   “Though they state that everything in creation

Evolves from omniscient God, they care not

About suffering beings and never thought

About society and human relations;

They lavishly spend their gods to please

Hoping that by God’s grace their sins will decrease;

They rush to miracle-men with faith profound

On pilgrimage to temples and they move around.

I say “Don’t get stuck up in the past and get lost

Help others rather than gods beyond your thought.” 

 

8        Whatever creed you follow be human at least

Your acts and words should not hurt people around

Instead of heaven think about people on the ground

Rash, thoughtless actions show your inner beast

Waste not your time in empty talk, play your part;

With a sympathetic and generous heart

Once your life is gone a rare chance is lost

You can’t get back your life at any cost.

Your helpful, humane actions ever remain

 As sweet memories, though you won't come again.” 

 

9             Let me be humane enough to show concern

For others and help them as far as I can

Not selfish and destructive but live like a man;

Though life’s course is full of twists and turns

In the name of superstitions let me not torture

Our fellow creatures but with love let me nurture;

Nature’s selfless and liberal love we find everywhere

Can’t we be thankful and nourish Her with care?

What you find in worshipping idols and stones

I find in selfless service of living beings alone.” 

            ************************

21st February, 2026               Somaseshu Gutala

Note: Please note that I am not an Atheist or favouring that idealogy.  But speaking in plain terms, he is not a hedonoist indulging in sensual pleasures, but a humanist at heart showing concern for people's problems and a Nature-lover interested in caring for Nature and all living beings. He is above narrow sectarian views of caste, creed and religion. Though limited in vision, the Atheist shows genuine concern for Nature and living beings which is great. In stead of mouthing platitudes and sitting idle, he adopts a practical approach and tries to do something to help people and protect Nature.

 “Hands that serve are holier than lips that pray.” (Mother Teresa).

 “The best portion of a good man’s life is his little

nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love.”

 (William Wordsworth)