I Pray: A poem

by Roberto Alfonso Díaz

I Pray for the wisdom to be a better person

But truth is holding tight to pain I’m nursing

I pray but the heavens fall down all around

They crush the church mouse without a sound

I Pray for wisdom though my mind is racing

Never could tame it though it drives me crazy

I Pray for peace but the war wages deep inside

The arrows pierce my thick brown buffalo hide

So I Pray to live while dropping blood on blue grass

May my blood be bold without it being crass

Without my prayers I’d die in my deep slumber

Instead I pretend to be awake in this dance number

I Pray to be a man with great resolve and humility

One who sows love as strength and not as pity