If asked to speak I don’t know what to say. Words appear and then refuse to be. Mumbling nonsense I can’t clearly see How dots from here to there could find their way. Even so those dots begin to play And laugh as they enjoy confounding me And jeer when I pretend some honesty, But nonetheless I’ll risk these words and pray: Make a difference. Show us something new. Judge us with Your mercy. May we ask For wisdom so we'll see the pointing sign? Lead us so that we may more align With what You know is now our better task And not what we might like to see come true.
Linked to dVerse Meeting the Bar. I am hosting today. The theme is to write a poem with fourteen lines. There’s no other constraint. I used a Petrarchan sonnet here, but no form is required. Come and join us with a poem of your own.
I heard earlier this week that the first Thursday in May is the National Day of Prayer in the United States. This has been happening on some day in the US since 1952. With our health and our economy at risk, I’m offering this sonnet as a prayer. Hopefully I am not offending the God who makes a difference with what I’ve said.

I love how you let the second part be the resolution of the conundrum in the first.
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I like how the Petrarchan form sets up that contrast. Thank you, Bjorn!
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I read this as both a poet’s struggle to find the words – much the same way when we want to pray and can’t find the right words or struggle to be genuine- I really like this and especially these lines
“How dots from here to there could find their way.
Even so those dots begin to play
And laugh as they enjoy confounding me
And jeer when I pretend some honesty,”
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Thank you, Laura! I am glad you liked those lines. I wasn’t sure how to write a prayer when someone prompted me to do so a few days ago.
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it can be a struggle hence books have been written on how to pray – conversation is at least from the heart!
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It should be from the heart. But I didn’t know what to say and then it all came out so fast it made me wonder who wrote the words although I’ll have to take responsibility for any mess-ups.
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I’m not a believer, but I would hope for that second part.
Love that gargoyle! 😀
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Thank you, Merril!
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Oddly, you and I spun off the same track, searching for refrain from the chaos and pain. I liked your challenge to us, so I did (2) long tankas and a Shakespearian sonnet; what fun.
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When you referenced Boris Johnson it reminded me that I didn’t take this seriously until I found out he was critically ill. Now I wonder about this coming fall. Two long tankas work perfectly even doubly perfect. Thanks, Glenn!
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I enjoyed “May we ask for Wisdom” it feels like we haven’t done it yet and it is so holy that we must ask to ask for it. Nicely done.
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Thank you, Maria!
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That is the problem I have with prayer; I can’t find the words. I don’t know what to ask for or what the right thing to ask for is. Maybe asking for wisdom is the way.
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I don’t know either. Hopefully wisdom will lead the way. Thank you!
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Frank, to me this is THE prayer we all need to be praying right now. We have tried it “our” way. Now it is time to listen and allow ourselves to be led.
“Lead us so that we may more align
With what You know is now our better task”
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That is what I was thinking as well. It is time to listen. I am glad it made sense. Thank you, Jade!
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You’re welcome.
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Hard to ask, but harder to really listen. It’s difficult to get past our preconceptions. (K)
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It is. Thank you, Kerfe!
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From your mouth to God’s ear, Frank. May we indeed find the wisdom to see the pointing sign. Things are indeed appearing cloudy at the moment.
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Thank you, Beverly! It has seemed cloudy these days.
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kaykuala
With what You know is now our better task
And not what we might like to see come true
It is good to be prepared and to anticipate for eventualities as otherwise it might unnecessarily cause problems along the way hindering the progress intended. Rightly so Frank!
Hank
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It is good to be prepared. Thank you, Hank!
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That is an awesome prayer Frank! At the end of an awesome poem!
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Thank you, Mary!
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a delightful prayer that would please anyone … well said man of humbled speeches!
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Thank you, Kate!
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This is a lovely prayer and sonnet. I admire the way you use the volta to switch from poetics to prayer. It was such a good prayer- just the right things to ask for (I think) I’m especially fond of the humility your prayer shows in asking for the wisdom to recognize whatever signs may come. I’m keeping that prayer, it bears repeating.
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Thank you, Christine! I am glad you liked the use of the volta in that context.
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This is such a lovely sonnet Frank.
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Thank you, Linda!
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Lovely sonnet. Petrarchan form sets up that contrast beautifully. Please read mine https://neelwritesblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/08/neelwrites-lockdownindiastories-poem-sonnet-08-05-2020/
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Lovely sonnet!
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Relatable and witty!
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Thank you, Magarisa!
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First, that photo is gorgeous. This is a beautiful prayer of thought, we do need wisdom to lead us in these troubling times. I pray the heavens hear us reading your prayer.
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I hope so. Thank you, Truedessa!
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Colors of Flowers Fresh
With Connections of
Love Free From
All Human
Connections Be…:)
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Thank you, Fred!
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😁
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I did enjoy this very much. Thank you.
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Thank you, Caroline!
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