pray

i am up past midnight.
and my heart is full of prayer.
not the grateful type.
the pleading type...
my stomach is in knots.
i am just not sure how to ask,
i am just not sure you can fill this order.

i pray for the saleman
stirring in his bed,
knowing tomorrow he will
disappoint his client.

i pray for the seventeen-year-old
instantly addicted to meth.
once attending a casual party
now strange and scared and alone.

i pray for the young mother
wondering if she's got it right.
hoping her child will be unique,
but also the same as everyone else.

i pray for the mother who lost
her eldest daughter almost a year ago.
the anniversary she tried to avoid,
the day that will haunt her always.

i pray for my sister
watching her best friend die.
will there be enough moments
in the next several days?

i just keep asking
i just keep hoping
i just keep praying
that everything will be ok...