I have lost the rituals 
Of faith. But my devotion has 
Become stronger.  I no longer 
Am afraid or confused by questions that
Whirl around in my head
Never to be brought into existence 
Their very substance damning
Pounding, hammering a path to (h)elsewhere
I now wear a cloak around 
My shoulders.  It holds a super power
A texture all its own.  When I’m alone 
It reminds me of who I am. 
It fosters my introspection
It champions who I want to be 
And then I feel 
No other burden of pretense
Or suspense
No fear of consequence 
For being so much more
And ritualizing less
I have no dire need to find my 
Hallowed steed to gallop on with 
Me holding on, bound for paradise. 
This life, this blessed life is mine 
To treat with such passion
Such tenderness, that earth
Itself becomes the Eden I seek.
My paradise is under my own feet.