Ten Points (Atheist)

one: there is no god.

so two: there is no joy in the world

except for what we make in it ourselves.

also three: when i die

i will cease to exist;

so four: the joy i make,

i must make now.

five: i am afraid to die.

i suppose that everyone is.

but six: in spite of that,

i am not afraid to live.

seven: the world will continue

for others when i am gone.

so eight: i must maintain this world

for those who carry on.

nine: my capacity for love

is stopped only by failing to try.

so ten: i must open my eyes

i must open my mind

i must open my heart

i must open my arms

i must throw wide the windows

and shout out hello

to the world as it is,

and not as i wish it could be.