I recently came across a folder full of old poetry I had written. Within it's rusted flaps, amid the rantings and cries of my  youth I found a series of poems I had named "Prayers". They are worth saving from the refuse they were entombed with.

Prayer 1)

Oh child

learn now what fun is

Keep this lesson in your heart

run to the river on your summer day

chase the dandelion fluff blowing in the wind

take time to build snowballs

and snow men

be young as long as you can

for when the ravages of the heart

catch you

the earth will shift.

Prayer 2)

Writing to you before you are born

little one

I see the things I wish to say

but I know you must learn them

on your own.

I will sit

with my cup of coffee

and watch you grow

as I grew

and I will ache to reach out

to guide you through

but all I can offer is

love

patience

and understanding

having once stood where you will

all too soon

stand.

Oh little one,

Oh child

I pray that you will have the strength

that eluded me

the wisdom I could never find

and the courage

to touch the old man

sitting with his coffee

and say

I love you.

Prayer 3)

We gave you a playful name

your Ma and I

we each had ours

to make us smile

and I apologize

for bringing you into this world of hurt

but your Ma

she says you deserve the chance

that God wants your soul to grow

so we must water it for you

I guess I just don't ever

want to see you hurt.