Prayers for the Journey Home

Prayers, then, for the lost and the abandoned,
The hopeless, the despairing, the cynical.
Prayers then for the part of me that wants to give up.
Prayers then for the part of you that says I see you. I’ve got you.

Prayers of thanksgiving for the women who speak up
For the ones whose voices are tired,
Who’ve cried too much and can’t find the words.
Prayers for the part of me that can’t find the words.

Tears upon tears upon tears upon tears.
And prayers for you when you say,
Don’t worry one bit. I’m gonna sit right here
Next to you, and anyway here’s some tea.

Prayers for the one dying of aids.
It’s 1987, dr. Love we called him.
He loved football and being loud.
He came to live out loud.

Prayers for the priest I heard about
Who would dress down and pretend
To be sick and enter the clinic
Just to be sure that no one was being
Harmed or discriminated against.

Prayers of thanksgiving, all the day long.

Prayers for the woman whose job may be lost
Forever.
And prayers for the man who’s wondering
What might come down next
And when and where and how,
And who will suffer needlessly this time?

Prayers for the night when rest can come.
Prayers for the morning light, its hope bright and sure.
Prayers for the journey home.
Prayers that remind us we are not alone.