In villages God does not live only . . .

(Peasants Dancing outside an Inn by David Teniers - found here)

In villages God does not live only

in icon corners, as the scoffers claim,

but plainly, everywhere. He sanctifies

each roof and pan, divides each double door.

In villages God acts abundantly―

cooks lentils in iron pots on Saturdays,

dances a lazy jig in flickering flames,

and winks at me, witness to all of this.

He plants a hedge, and gives away a bride

(the groom's a forester), and, for a joke,

he makes it certain that the game warden

will never hit the duck he's shooting at.

The chance to know and witness all of this,

amidst the whistling of the autumn mist,

is, I would say, the only touch of bliss

that's open to the village atheist.

~Joseph Brodsky (Translated by George Kline)