The Grahamburglar Poet Free verse

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

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

1 2

Nicholas Windle June 2, 2016 at 8:29 AM just perfect your words say it all bless you

Edlynn Nau May 28, 2016 at 3:52 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.

J Hamilton Gist May 23, 2016 at 8:38 PM I can see the teary eyed little girl praying. Good Stuff!

Audrey Decker May 20, 2016 at 1:32 PM what a wonderful poem, it brought me to tears. thank you for sharing it.

Los Laymen May 19, 2016 at 5:55 PM Great story and poem!

Kim Rodrigues May 19, 2016 at 5:18 PM Such poignant feeling exudes from your poem!

Carlene Simpson May 14, 2016 at 3:46 AM Good one Graham......I'm on the verge of tears

Tricia Romine May 6, 2016 at 11:15 AM I love, love, love this poem. It's one of my favorites. Keep writing! This was beautiful!

Litty Lokanath May 6, 2016 at 5:17 AM Surely expresses the innocent minds of children and their wish, to be loved! Good

Kelli White May 5, 2016 at 10:42 AM Beautiful poem

Margaret Franceschini May 3, 2016 at 5:38 PM you clearly wrote the emotions expressed by child and parent. thank you for prayerfully composing. great work!

Stephanie Gutierrez May 3, 2016 at 5:03 PM Very good poem, I was able to visualize the picture that you painted. Great work. SG

Bl Devnath May 3, 2016 at 4:19 PM Excellent poem done with brilliant synthesis. Loved always my lovely friend,bl

Eve Roper May 3, 2016 at 4:15 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.

Manmath Dalei May 1, 2016 at 10:53 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.

Skat A June 21, 2015 at 1:43 AM a nice win

Poet Destroyer A June 21, 2015 at 1:05 AM Preston, congratulations on your Prayer time Memory win. LINDA

Jan Allison June 20, 2015 at 7:45 AM A very moving piece Preston - we went with a similar theme:-) congrats on your win:-) hugs jan xx

The Grahamburglar June 5, 2015 at 5:44 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. =)

Skat A June 4, 2015 at 4:43 AM Congrats on poem of the day The Grahamburglar June 5, 2015 at 5:42 PM This list of comments wouldn't have been complete without your stamp on it somewhere, so thank you for taking the time. =)

Queen Malicious June 2, 2015 at 8:14 PM I love your poem congrats on being P.O.T.D! Hugs* V.C The Grahamburglar June 5, 2015 at 5:40 PM Thank you Valkyrie (which is an awesome name btw), I appreciate that you took the time to read and comment. =)

Wilfred Aniagyei June 2, 2015 at 4:24 PM The sincerity is so touching..... Loved this! congrats on POTD! The Grahamburglar June 5, 2015 at 5:37 PM Thank you for stopping by to read and comment. I appreciate your feedback, and I am glad you enjoyed it. =)

Richard Jordan June 2, 2015 at 3:27 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. The Grahamburglar June 5, 2015 at 5:36 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.

Neva Romaine June 2, 2015 at 2:52 PM Hey Preston, BIG congratulations on your wonderful poem being chosen as POTD, and best wishes in the contest! Be Blessed, Neva The Grahamburglar June 5, 2015 at 5:34 PM Hi Neva, thank you for your kind encouragement.

Anne-Lise Andresen June 2, 2015 at 12:43 PM - A deeply moving poem, Preston - Congratulations on your p.o.t.d. - and good luck in contest ! - hugs // Anne-Lise :) The Grahamburglar June 5, 2015 at 5:33 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.

1 2