Invocation

Bowing head she begins, petitioning assistance, pleading earnestly: “Forgive me lord, these feelings you inspire have long eluded me, A stranger in your throne of divinity, I am distressed as can be Regretful of bygones, replete in misery of blight-ridden streets Where remnants of my foolish deeds lie dismantled and deplete Near a battered graveyard, where in repose lies my father’s body, Sorrowed I stood there, stilled as stone, grieving night all alone Longing for his forgiveness for things I should have said and done Choosing instead to be wild and undone, not caring for anyone, In company of clueless friends where covenants of life I misread Pretending to celebrate happiness in bonfires of souls wretched; Sitting on this pew now, guided by invisible hand, I feel glow of light Going back to my youth, recalling your halo on candles of delight As feeble beats of my unborn child echo solemn words of prayer Heartened by your revelations, while unconditional love I declare, In repentance of contrite past, paying homage to a sanguine start Gratified you blessed my child, donning enlightenment I’ll depart In atonement you impart, humming your song in my grateful heart.” And she steps out into the night crooning lullaby to her beloved child, A single mother pledging to revise pages of fate in epistle of destiny Promising to unshroud yesteryear’s dawns in tomorrow’s sunshine, Vowing to guard her unborn from flawed paradigms, vagaries of time Poised to defy malevolence in sacred pact with benevolence of life. October 25, 2021 Placed 1st: Pick-A-Title, Vol 26 – Poetry Contest Sponsor: Edward Ibeh Title chosen: Invocation