The First Prayer

 "Now I lay me down..."

     I prayed on bent knee,

       Mother beside me, 

         teaching and praying,

lessons for the journey.

",,,if I should die..."

    I said, not knowing

      it could happen, 

       had I known,

no eyes would close.

"...my soul to take..."

    I whispered, not knowing,

      not grasping the words,

        nor the request

to wake up in eternity.

 

"God bless Moma..."

   and then came others,

    Daddy, sister, dog, 

     aunts and uncles, 

beginnings of intercession.

"Amen...Amen..."

   spoken quickly 

    and into bed, 

     Mother's kiss,

the Father's care.