Thoughts While Researching Freethinkers

(Dedicated to Dana, Lisa, George, and Richard. My friends might hold different beliefs, but they took the time to listen to my ideas. And, to the scholar who provided me with a copy of his book to support my quest.)

I set out to do some research about little known freethinkers in U. S. history
I wondered how many non-believer ideas and actions were interwoven into the fabric of our
United existence
The ideas of Paine, Ingersoll and others are well-known
I am curious about the lesser known
Even the unknown who exist within the words and actions of others

Perhaps they were silent due to the fear of
Persecution
Death

Maybe they had wonderful thoughts about humanity
That are forever lost between the hallmarks of history

It could be that as they looked skyward
They saw
Stars
Planets
The Milky Way and dreamed about what could be beyond

Maybe as they looked around their
Village
Town
Greater metropolitan area
They saw places of worship
Houses of a silent god who only speaks through the chosen few

I wonder how many non-believer’s ideas
Were interwoven into our collective existence
Over time
Passed along in whispers to others in words or
Through actions despite fears

I wonder how many non-believers wear the cloth of those called and chosen
As they go through the motions because they know that
When they gaze skyward
They see
Stars
Planets
The Milky Way and dream about what could be beyond

Paul Cech has been writing poetry since 1970. Several of his poems have been published as Saturday Poems in the Pittsburgh- Post Gazette and the Thomas Merton Center of Pittsburgh has published several of his poems in NewPeople. Read other articles by Paul.