Prayer of a Fish

Lord          censure is more painful         when soft
       like jellyfish at night
every evidence          touch          all in silence

wriggle little I like a lizard in
the harmless seeming
powdered ashes hot

and I ask         You Who say
      – not for tomorrow –
cast out!         cast out!

so many fish          how much more sea
also in me           stealthy sediment         may only
my chevron bones stay here          the rest with You


[1/23/05]