Remembering A Christmas Carol, read
when I was 12, one summer long ago,
and screened each winter, this year someone led
discussion with the questions: do we know,
was Marley visited? Did he ignore
some spirit lessons which were given breath?
I think so, but what bothers me much more,
is goodness only loosed by fear of death.

Proponents of religion often claim
we won’t behave without the threat of hell –
morality in poor parental frame,
like self-esteem won’t spur us to do well?
In fact, I watch us strive to recreate
the past, devolving into sin and hate.