Quietus

Quietus

 

 

The ancients knew that from the shadows of the Underworld

spirits sometimes send false dreams up to the sky.

Thus have you have been deceived

about a Father sending a Son for atonement

so that all who believe may live forever.

This is but a story told to children who do not consent to sleep

until they hear a happy ending.

 

Now will I explain the truth.

In the afterlife we are punished and rewarded

not from belief, but from our actions

being judged and assigned as follows:

the souls of the virtuous loll in the sun and dandle their children

those who were kind stroll about, nodding to one another in greeting

the humble bathe in the waters of goodness

but the grasping develop rashes and frown, sitting cross-legged before mirrors

the vain are pecked at by crows

the indifferent are forgotten

the slothful moan and droop

and the ridiculous are made into apes.

 

I tell you these things that you may better prepare

for whatever fate awaits you.