A Child's Prayer

Clutched tight to my chest, the doll smiles lifelessly
sending vacant stares down the darkened hall.
A solitary line of pink light sneaks through a crack in the door.
Fighting tears hanging loosely in my eyes, I listen.
 
“Please tell daddy that I love him and miss him.”
It has been two months since he died. Long, hard months.
“Keep him safe.”
His smell still lingers on his clothes in the closet.
“and bless mommy to be happy…”
How can I be happy, or even smile, when all I want is to be numb?
The tears burn in my eyes, but I can’t cry, or I might never stop.
“so that she will play with me like she used to”
I can scarcely recall the last time I was able to focus; to give her all my attention.
“help her to forgive me,”
Oh sweet baby, it’s I who needs your forgiveness.
“help her to love me again, even though sometimes I’m bad”
Oh God, is that what she thinks!?
“and please help me to find dolly so she won’t be scared tonight”
Ok, focus…just breathe.
“in Jesus name I pray, Amen.”

Clutched tight to my chest, the doll smiles lifelessly
sending vacant stares into the room lit by a solitary pink lamp.
I sneak through the door, with tears rolling down my cheeks,
and enter with a promise, that all her prayers will get answered.

05/31/15

Submission for Prayertime Memories
Hosted by Isaiah Zerbst
Copyright © | Year Posted 2015


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12
Date: 6/2/2016 8:29:00 AM
just perfect your words say it all bless you
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Date: 5/28/2016 3:52:00 PM
This could be my prayer! My husband died young of Cancer. I was just 40 by two weeks and my daughter just 10 by two months. She kept his coat in the closet. . . So she could go in and smell it and hug it on the hanger. One night she cried long and deeply with TRUE GRIEF, not for herself, but for him..what he was MISSING & how she could never say I LOVE YOU DADDY, again.
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Date: 5/23/2016 8:38:00 PM
I can see the teary eyed little girl praying. Good Stuff!
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Date: 5/20/2016 1:32:00 PM
what a wonderful poem, it brought me to tears. thank you for sharing it.
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Date: 5/19/2016 5:55:00 PM
Great story and poem!
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Date: 5/19/2016 5:18:00 PM
Such poignant feeling exudes from your poem!
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Date: 5/14/2016 3:46:00 AM
Good one Graham......I'm on the verge of tears
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Date: 5/6/2016 11:15:00 AM
I love, love, love this poem. It's one of my favorites. Keep writing! This was beautiful!
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Date: 5/6/2016 5:17:00 AM
Surely expresses the innocent minds of children and their wish, to be loved! Good
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Date: 5/5/2016 10:42:00 AM
Beautiful poem
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Date: 5/3/2016 5:38:00 PM
you clearly wrote the emotions expressed by child and parent. thank you for prayerfully composing. great work!
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Date: 5/3/2016 5:03:00 PM
Very good poem, I was able to visualize the picture that you painted. Great work. SG
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Date: 5/3/2016 4:19:00 PM
Excellent poem done with brilliant synthesis. Loved always my lovely friend,bl
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Date: 5/3/2016 4:15:00 PM
This is a wonderful prayer of a child. I wonder if they ever understand until they get older. To this day my son ponders and misses his grandpa that he was so close too. Grandpa taught him so much when he , his dad, and friends would go up on the mountain to hunt. a 7 my friend.
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Date: 5/1/2016 10:53:00 PM
Dear Grahamburglar, It is up to international standard. I am really sucked with ur wordings. Awesome creation with great internal feelings. I can read ur heart through this poem, it is loving & caring. God bless u & may give u enough power to write brilliant poems.................hugs.
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Date: 6/21/2015 1:43:00 AM
a nice win
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Date: 6/21/2015 1:05:00 AM
Preston, congratulations on your Prayer time Memory win. LINDA
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Date: 6/20/2015 7:45:00 AM
A very moving piece Preston - we went with a similar theme:-) congrats on your win:-) hugs jan xx
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Date: 6/5/2015 5:44:00 PM
Thank you to everyone who took the time to read and comment on my poem. I apologize that it took me a couple of days to acknowledge your comments, but please know that I was pleasantly surprised and honored! I appreciate all the positive and encouraging words. So thank you all, truly. What an honor. =)
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Date: 6/4/2015 4:43:00 AM
Congrats on poem of the day
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Grahamburglar Avatar
The Grahamburglar
Date: 6/5/2015 5:42:00 PM
This list of comments wouldn't have been complete without your stamp on it somewhere, so thank you for taking the time. =)
Date: 6/2/2015 8:14:00 PM
I love your poem congrats on being P.O.T.D! Hugs* V.C
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Grahamburglar Avatar
The Grahamburglar
Date: 6/5/2015 5:40:00 PM
Thank you Valkyrie (which is an awesome name btw), I appreciate that you took the time to read and comment. =)
Date: 6/2/2015 4:24:00 PM
The sincerity is so touching..... Loved this! congrats on POTD!
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Grahamburglar Avatar
The Grahamburglar
Date: 6/5/2015 5:37:00 PM
Thank you for stopping by to read and comment. I appreciate your feedback, and I am glad you enjoyed it. =)
Date: 6/2/2015 3:27:00 PM
I read this poem and clicked on "Best Preston Graham Poems". I haven't read them all, but those I've read are all great. But this one was so strong I just had to add one more comment to the growing list. Congratulations on POTD and good luck in the contest.
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Grahamburglar Avatar
The Grahamburglar
Date: 6/5/2015 5:36:00 PM
Hi Richard, I appreciate the feedback and you taking the time to read and comment. All the comments were admittedly a tad overwhelming, but deeply appreciated, of course...so, thank you.
Date: 6/2/2015 2:52:00 PM
Hey Preston, BIG congratulations on your wonderful poem being chosen as POTD, and best wishes in the contest! Be Blessed, Neva
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Grahamburglar Avatar
The Grahamburglar
Date: 6/5/2015 5:34:00 PM
Hi Neva, thank you for your kind encouragement.
Date: 6/2/2015 12:43:00 PM
- A deeply moving poem, Preston - Congratulations on your p.o.t.d. - and good luck in contest ! - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
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Grahamburglar Avatar
The Grahamburglar
Date: 6/5/2015 5:33:00 PM
Thank you Anne. I'm glad you were moved, and I was honored and surprised by the potd. In any case, I appreciate your comments and encouragement.
12
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