“Pray until something happens”
Oct 13 2008


The bumper sticker said
“Pray until something happens.”

I wonder what he’s waiting for?
Or could it be anything
to rescue him
from this bleak earthbound anomie?
And then what,
when all his prayers are answered?
Will he pray for others . . .
will he pray for gratitude . . .
or will he pray to be touched
by something grander
than he is?

I imagine this cacophony of prayer
rising up to heaven,
filling the air around us —
words of thanks
and praise
and supplication.
A dense incessant litany of pleas
permeating our lives
— walking about in it,
breathing deep,
building it into our marrow.

Something always happens.
And most prayers, it seems, will go unanswered.
But they are a consolation, nevertheless,
because such is the power of faith.
At sunset, looking up
I see the red magenta sky,
and imagine the whole world
reciting
mumbling
praying hard,
either imploring their gods,
or haranguing them.
All those fervent words
ascending,
filling the air
with fire and light.