gaining reason

down on their knees again
eyes squinted tight
hoping, wishing, hoping,
wishing…
“praying”
for something or other
that will specifically &
uniquely appear on their doorstep
solving all their current problems &
washing away any possibility of
a return to their present desperate state---

and nothing happens.

not a voice
not a sign
not an “angel” showing up to don its perty wings---
nothing comes as a result of
the getting down on the knees &
squinting eyes routine,
however,
this time around,
the individual in question has finally become
fed up with the whole idea &
simultaneously opening their eyes,
unfolding their hands &
standing up
on their own,
they decide for themselves that they have
“lost their faith.”

why is it that this remarkable &
essential moment in a human being’s
development,
is illustrated in such a manner?
why is this “faith” lost,
when it never existed to begin with?
for what is a sense of “faith,”
but certainty which has no evidence for its
basis
whatsoever?
how can one lose
that which could never be held in the first place?

aren’t those who come to this new vital conclusion
really
gaining reason &
in doing so,
wouldn’t this call for a celebration
rather than the playing of the violins,
the hiding in one’s house with the lights off,
or the weeping
like that of a child whose candy has been stolen from them?