This One Fact I’ve Clearly Understood

“O Exalted One” you piously proclaim,

“Owner of tremendous grace and fame!”

You bend low reverently before his feet,

Grovelling in front of his throne-like seat.

You say to yourself, and to others, too

(Who you want should believe like you),

“Prostrate to him, for he is most great,

He can completely overturn your fate.

If you disobey him, you he might curse,

Making you go mad or maybe even worse.

In the spirit world, he’s reached oh so high

That all of your wishes he can satisfy.

He possesses powers oh so very strong,

So elevated is he that he can do no wrong.

Praise and adore him, this you mustn't fail,

Sing his glories, for it’s he you should hail.

Bow fully before him, fall flat on your face,

Then he’ll shower on you his angelic grace.

Cheerfully yield to all that he may demand,

Unquestioningly obey his every command,

Follow at once whatever he might dictate,

And yes, to him please generously donate.”

“Enough!”  I tell you, “I’ll hear no more!

You’ve told me this umpteen times before!

How long more need I continue to repeat

That you’re a victim of downright deceit?

No matter how virtuous a man might be,

To worship him thus is way beyond me,

For this one fact I’ve clearly understood:

No human can ever be perfectly good.

We’re all a mix of both good and bad,

No exception to this can ever be had,

And so, to you this I must clearly say:

'I refuse to follow your chosen way.'"