When young I was an Atheist,
Yea, pompous as a pigeon
No opportunity I missed
To satirize religion.
I sneered at Scripture, scoffed at Faith,
I blasphemed at believers:
Said I: “There’s nothing after Death,–
Your priests are just deceivers.”
In middle age I was not so
Contemptuous and caustic.
Thought I: “There’s much I do not know:
I’d better be agnostic.
The hope of immortality
‘Tis foolish to be flouting.”
So in the end I came to be
A doubter of my doubting.
Now I am old, with steps inclined
To hesitate and falter;
I find I get such peace of mind
Just sitting by an altar.
So Friends, don’t scorn the family pew,
The preachments of the kirks:
Religion may be false or true,
But by the Lord!–it works.
(Robert William Service)
More Poetry from Robert William Service:
Robert William Service Poems based on Topics: Mind, Death & Dying, Thought & Thinking, Friendship, Hope, Belief & Faith, Work & Career, Family, Immortality, Religions & Spirituality, Atheism- Fighting Mac (Robert William Service Poems)
- If You Had The Choice Of Two Women To Wed (Robert William Service Poems)
- (The sunshine seeks my little room) (Robert William Service Poems)
- Orphan School (Robert William Service Poems)
- Kail Yard Bard (Robert William Service Poems)
- My Chapel (Robert William Service Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: Mind Poems, Death & Dying Poems, Friendship Poems, Hope Poems, Thought & Thinking Poems, Belief & Faith Poems, Work & Career Poems, Immortality Poems, Family Poems, Religions & Spirituality Poems, Atheism PoemsBased on Keywords: contemptuous, scoffed, sneered, blasphemed, doubter, caustic, flouting, deceivers, kirks, satirize, preachments