DESCRIPTION:
"God is only mocked by believers" (Anne Sexton)

Full Title of Poem: "An Open Letter To God: From an Atheist Still Searching."

Poet: Lindsey Michelle Williams

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FROM THE AUTHOR:
TRIGGER WARNING: I know, by the overwhelming response that I got when I first posted this, that this piece hits many people the wrong way. (Notably, my very strongly christian family.)

In response to those asking me how I can be so ungrateful for my blessings, I would first say that I am not ungrateful. I feel very lucky and fortunate for everything that I have. But know that the feeling of being grateful does NOT necessarily have to be associated with a belief that these things were given to me by a greater power. I can feel grateful in relation to worldly standards.

Secondly, I ask you to please move beyond this wall (of seeing this as a poem about me being ungrateful) and try to understand the deeper longing and frustration that this piece is truly about. Understand that I am not angry at God. Nor am I upset with Him. As I cannot have feelings toward an object I have never found for myself.

This poem is about searching.

This poem is not an argument.

It is simply my own feelings in a moment that have been manifest into words.

I truly appreciate all reactions that come in response to this poem. And I honestly thank you for allowing my piece to move you in whatever way it did. As an artist, the greatest thing I could ask for is that you be moved -- Your direction of travel is not a matter of importance to my artistic fulfillment.