An Atheist Prayer

I, who never pray,
Pray silently today
In my mind’s voice,
In my simple native English
Lying here alone on my side.
With no reverence in my posture
And only honesty in my heart
I make a wish,
Saying to any powers that be:

I cannot grasp man-made rituals,
I cannot mind arbitrary, nonsensical dogma;
But if the universe or something in it
Can make such decisions then
Please — use me.

Use me for what can only be good.
Use me for those who may need
Any of the very few things I can offer,
Such as an ear for a whispered thought
Or an eye for what needs to be seen.

I need no afterlife:
Neither promised paradise
Nor threatened retribution;
Just purpose,
Here and now,
On this wild earth.

.

May 2, 2025