For just a moment,

strip off the armor of faith.

Stand naked in your mortal skin,

unprotected by the hand of god,

karmic law, or universal justice,

knowing only the counsel of conscience.

That compass always points you true.

Follow that and you may lead.

Set down the burden of belief.

Stand tall, relieved, and freed

of obligations to the long-dead

ghosts who wailed so loud

a song of sacrifice for what you do.

When all your sins are yours to own,

when all is not forgiven unconditionally,

what choices do you make?

Place destiny aside a while.

When every path lies open

and your way stands undecided,

when you look through childish eyes,

possibility unchained arises, stretches

atrophying muscles toward improbable

horizons.  Gaze out at what might be

and choose, for once, what you will do.

Now, if you had faith to strip,

belief to cast away or destiny

imposed upon your life, resume

it if you wish, but know the needle

you have pricked to life still points the way.

The options you have seen remain,

and if there be a god, or ghost

to whom you owe an honor debt

            How better can such entities be thanked than through the exercise of all you are?