prayer rope
the black knots
found by fingers
while eyes closed
mind opened and
close to truth
close to heart
beat to
the breath
the black knots
knot my mind
while they remind
me what is not
to be avoided
black knots
with tears
and hope
the black knots
face who I am
and who I’m not
combined with plea
to who he is
a simple task
to accept
what I could not
give to myself
the black knots
a moment of
solidarity
with child
of timidity
who dares not who
cannot see
for the wonder
of it all
the black knots
knot a broken soul
the child despised
who would not dare
to raise the eyes
to your face
who stands far off
in sacred space
standing alone
and lonely waits
© Darryl Willis 2021