silence

i do not need a pastor nor preacher
to lead me in negro spirituals
or choruses that have lost all meaning
i do not need a teacher to guide me in meditation
to prove that i am thankful for this earth

i just need the silence
the sound of nature and this earth
that is enough for me to know of a higher deity
whether He is called Jah, God or Spirit
whether you worship 10 or 1

religion does not interest me
just the knowing what is right from wrong
and trusting in this higher deity
spirituality is what we need
because this label that we have taken on
with religions
is what is separating us and causing conflict

i do not need religion
or someone telling me how to live
when they don't live like that
i need spirituality
i need the universe
       the healing silence
     and me

(T. S.)