United Prayer

United Prayer Painted in a corner Smeared about the floor Chants of lone forgiveness Quiet in the war “Deafening the sound of death” Garden roses trampled Broken stems abound Wilting on the visions Blooming losses found “Petals of peace scattered carelessly” Blood along the pathway Eyes hid in the mist Penning someone else’s name On this lengthy list “Alphabetical to the grave” Standing from the shadows Crossing battle lines Reaching for the freedom Voices loud can find “Speak up children, your voices matter” Put aside your weapons Time has come to cease The nation now has gathered United prayer for peace “On our hands and knees we pray… bring an end to war this day” I was asked to write a poetic prayer for peace by a young friend in the Middle East. This is what I wrote.