Teach Us To Pray (A Poetic Invitation)

Image by Nestor Galina

And this is what I saw—


Leviathan leaping,

full length,

in radiant delight,

up from the dark depths of Mystery.


The night sky, clear;

the moon full,

casting its silver light across

the whale-fractured sea.


And then

she crashes, full length.

A million silver shards

dancing their holy glee.


As she

disappears again

into the dark, silent depths,

to soak in Thee.


Why then

pray like some dead fish

in this, God’s sea?


Dance, fly,

play, plunge.

That’s what prayer is meant to be.


chris neufeld-erdman, from December 31, 2008