Prayer For Light

[J Hillenburg]

Prayer For Light



I stride forth implacable through mythic annals of a time

invested with revealing powers I all too rarely know.

I seek to settle with old images I once naively defined

with whatever labels I found it convenient to bestow.

I am beyond those ancient complications of that world

where I found that the heart swore oaths it could not keep.

I pray that into a sparkling cosmos of light I am hurled

so I may finally bless you even in your most fitful sleep.


I surge forth relentlessly through a thin fabric of thought

that bound you to less fortunate times and tawdry places.

I am divested of all illusion here and have finally caught

some idea of the desperation you saw in so many faces.

I know now that image cannot harm me, it can only inform

my sense of purpose with an undeniable clarity of intent.

I pray that by the light of this song you might keep warm

assuring you that these many years have not been misspent.


Hypnotized by phantom rhapsodies that leave me drained,

exhausted by a torrent of emotions that induce me to tears.

I am obsessed with the music of words on fire, unrestrained

that elevate the soul and silence every conceivable fear.

This is my sacrament, my blood, it covers every page

and binds us to a truth larger than to what we can attest.

I pray that these feeble rhymes can both instruct and engage

your sleeping, dormant dreams; you may disregard the rest.

[lizzytysh]

Dear J ~

I knew, when I saw the title, that I was going to like this poem. I was so right. It is very, very nice. And, as always, your last line takes a clinching turn...."you may disregard the rest" .

~ Elizabeth