The stars hid behind clouds that night
and the cacophony of the bustling city was silenced—
drowned out by a symphony of frogs and crickets.
The summer breeze blowing off the lake was musty
but refreshing.

As my brother and I walked farther from city light
he asked the same question again, “But why?”
I’d ramble, “Because I can feel it, and see it.”
“How so? Why don’t I? I don’t understand.”
he’d reply.

It was the same walk, and the same question.
But tonight was different— I was frustrated.
God’s symphony sunk into silence, and His curious
creature grew louder.  He asked one last time,
“Why do you?”

“Because Mom and Dad do!” I blurted out.
An abrupt yet fleeting silence struck.  My feet were
crunching on the dirt path again, and the frogs
and crickets returned, louder.  I walked,
mind swamped.

I was scared to think, but yet I did.
l listened and looked around with awe.
The stars came out, and the wind blew the leaves
in the trees and the tall blades of grass with hush,
and I knew.

All of a sudden consciousness was a billion stars—
a full yellow moon setting over houses’ silhouettes.
I smiled.  “So this… all this, really did just
happen on its own?” I whispered to my brother.
He smiled.

I spread my arms and lifted my eyes to heaven,
floating in the cool breeze.  The stars, wind and
frogs singing to me as my mind danced. I asked,
“Do Mom and Dad know why, does anyone know why,
they believe in god?”