No Month for an Atheist
October is the month when all the dead
Are brought to life again –
In our imaginations spectres tread,
And sceptics howl in vain.
So why must we be common-sensers,
Jaded cynics, sober sisters ?,
When the world wants will-suspensors,
Playful panics, logic-twisters.
What the Hell ! And if it’s Hell you want,
Then take it – take it all !
Mine’s a holy water from the font
With a twist of lime, served tall.
At least it’s safe, when Satan is
A dentist wearing plastic horns.
It’s ketchup blood and dry-ice fizz,
And no-one’s killing newly-borns.
October is the month when all the dead
Are brought to life again –
In our imaginations, streets run red
With ev’ry guilty stain.
We’ve all got demons locked within –
Let’s keep them in until they’re slayed.
For that is worth believing in –
The luxury to be afraid.
What the Hell ! Take all the Hell you need –
I mean, at least it’s warm.
Mine’s a chilly wisdom, I concede,
In the face of an eerie storm.
So have the month, enjoy your frights,
And call me killjoy all you like,
It’s fine – we’ll all sleep sound at night,
As once again the dead don’t strike.
Rhyming Couplets 