April Anthology 2018: "Teach us to pray." (04/22)

Loving first-family and Maker of me,

As high and far as the sun you seem.

Too strange and sacred, great and grand

For me to ever touch your hand

But here,

You rule, protect and guide.

Here, in this ball of water and clay,

Plants and beasts and secret fires

Beneath the stone,

And the heart of me.

And you were still here (so far away)

In the teen's despairing unseen dark,

And you were still here (and ready to stay)

In the child's quiet begging, locked closet door.

And when the night passes with its restless sleep,

Wild wonderings,

Night-mare riding me into flame -

I wake to the warmth of the near-distant sun,

And rise and eat my daily bread.