I’ve been surrounded by a curious set of poetry comrades lately. Not sure what the alchemy of these artists will bring.
I wrote a piece this winter that we plan to use in my church community, Solomon’s Porch, to say out loud as a prayer during the season of Lent. I like to think of Lent at a time to more toward awareness, love, and forgiveness. I think this poem reflects that. There are some other communities that plan to use in this season as well, which makes me very happy because I wrote it to give it away.
A Prayer for Lent
One: For you who live on the crumbling edge of an abyss.
All: We pray for the courage to crawl away from the edge.
One: For you for whom time moves more slowly than grief or sprouting seeds.
All: We pray for the patience of water.
One: For you who see your present, past, and future as a dark cave.
All: We pray for a match-lit hope.
One: For you who fell from the highest spire.
All: We pray you climb again.
One: For you who betrayed those you love most.
All: We pray for lavender-scented forgiveness.
One: For you who were betrayed so deeply you’re suffocating with loss.
All: We pray for the breath of peace.
One: For you who are so often silent, your voice is a stranger.
All: We pray your words flow like bird-song.
One: For you who have so much.
All: We pray for hands that cannot stop giving for the benefit and blessing of all the world.
Victoria Lin Peterson-Hilleque
