The best we can do is follow

The dictates of our reason and compassion,

Not just one, but both together.

This defines living by conscience.

Believing more than this may be politics,

May be the culture we were born to,

The traditions we were taught.

But more than this

I can't embrace as  true. 

And so I search with profound heart,

Living as though life were art.

So as surely as I mute

The shills in TV ads

I close my ears

To those haranging me

With "virtues",

Expectations, and demands,

Of what are not more universal truths,

Of faith for me,

But not for you.

What is truly sacred,  beyond mere fiction?

Surely kindness toward the suffering.

Surely honesty toward all,

Also the best of worldly arts,

Those whose visions inspire;

The best of science,

That which brings vitality and health,

Ours and nature's;

The  highest, ennobling music;

Insightful poetry;

Philosophies come by honestly,

Not through stealth.

We can never know with certainty

What lies beyond the obvious,

But love and reason tell me this:

Live simply,

Eschew wealth

Asking little of the Earth,

Polluting neither 

Wind or wave

Surely this must be the way.

To this enlightenment gives birth.

To turn from decadence

And not take thugs for saints.

Defeat the racist,

Nationalist,

The soul-shrunk miser,

Love not lives of  greed,

But instead the portraits conscience paints.

Of souls grown wiser.

Yes, place great stock in truth and virtue,

But only where attended by this pair,

In worldly grace and beauty too.