What do The Gods Hold in Their Hands?

What do the gods hold in their hands?
If I err, I am smitten, and I may never know my error
If I am blessed, then I will praise them for my good fortune
I sacrifice to appease them and I sacrifice to give thanks


My many prayers hit stone or wood or earth
But their ears are bound up and deaf
I must go to the priest and he will exact a fee

 Why can't the gods talk to me?The trees grow strong, the river gives food
But my cattle are sickly and my son has a twisted foot
How can blessings and sufferings exist side by side?


I made the pilgrimage to the holy high ground
I brought offerings of all I had
I walked the three days back to our little village


Why did the gods take my children?
Don’t they have enough children of their own?
I was the one who needed three strong sons and a daughter
My wife is getting older and the gods will not favour her for long


Why can’t I see the gods?
Why must I only hear of them in stories and mysteries told by the priests?
Have they seen the gods?


I want the gods to show their faces
I want the gods to answer my questions
I want the gods to be kind and not capricious


I want peace
I want a happy life
I want to go to the dust with a full belly