A Prayer

by Lisa Buscani

You
rage-cropped father,

You
earth-stained mother,

You
Flaming spirit,

You
laughing jackal,

You
rising bird,

You
knowing shadow,

You
inner being.

I won't kneel
that will bring me closer
to what defeats me now

I won't bow
because I can't cower
in the face of a question

But I can ask
and hear my plea flood the air
and take comfort in the fact
that I still have strength
to want.

I am so tired.
Cliches about weight aside,
The world has nested on my shoulders,
settling down for a long winter's nap.

My life follows the coldest road,
Dark and indifferent,
and quite happy to roll on without me.

And sometimes I feel like I'm the only rider
that rests in me so heavily
that all I can do is sit down
and hope for a still moment.

When I look to the light of the future
I see no bright goal
only that same road
that forgets the sound of my steps.

You who know the true meaning of beyond,
You who hold the lives of so many people
in your strange justice.
You who promise this life will be justified,
Send some of that folky old narcotic my way,
can't ya?
And let me step back awhile.

I ask for peace,

I ask for patience,

I ask for health,

I ask for truth,

I ask for beauty,

I ask for company,

I ask for love.

Amen

Omen

Whatever.