Prayer

Untitled | Sylvia Pittman | Pencil

 Prayer by Luna Nash

Inside

Speaks, quietly and astoundingly audible,

the voice of the Mariana.

Essential 

To my earth's ecosystem;

Secluded.

Its absence brings slow ruin to

All

Of me,

And its presence allows the earth to fall

Gracefully

into a single-sentence prayer.

Forehead pressed to carved marble bear

Framed by the sky's blackness,

Eyes closed and unfluttering,

Teeth resting from their constant tearing

Ripping

Gnashing

Of the mouth's flesh,

Breath carrying one single essence,

Accompanied by water gathering to witness in the eyes:

Thank you for making me strong,

Thank you for making me strong.

Most of the time

When I teeter on the edge of crying

The words 

I'm sorry

Press themselves against the confines of my body.

Tonight is not most of the time;

In the near-height of sympathy

Regret

Empathy

Wishing it were different

Comes instead strong,

Strong Mariana.

It tells me,

Wrapped in Knowing

And so close to audible

That I know what must happen.

Embrace for impact.

Hold

Know

Be truthful.

Carry self

Rise

Fall

Do whatever I know must be done.

Something far larger than I

And entirely my own

Glides underwater.

Embrace for impact.