Prayer Whispered to Blue Sky

A Poem

I have no desire to write about hate or disappointment or betrayal,
Or how I’ve discovered the secret to life.
I want to write about love and pleasant surprises and loyalty.
About what I’ve learned: the beauty of life is its messiness,
And our ability to rise from the chaos, our wings still wet.

Instead of a diatribe or a manifesto I will walk in sunshine today,
Past a room I seldom use — where a Christmas cactus thrusts
Its scarlet blooms into the light, dispelling any notion of gloom.
I will write of walking out into the blue morning to greet the sun,
Silently performing my inexpert Chi gung moves, as I greet the day

I will allow late November’s morning sunlight to wash over me,
While the dog tries desperately to lick my fingers
With her long, pink, and blue-speckled tongue.
I’m so happy to see you, she says. After these six lonely minutes,
I thought you would be gone forever. But now you’re here.

The Navajo teach us: With sunshine before me, may I walk.
With sunshine behind me, may I walk.
With…