Making a Difference

Blue and Yellow Flowers 
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.

Gargoyle
Gargoyle

Author: Frank Hubeny

I enjoy walking, poetry and short prose as well as taking pictures with my phone.

42 thoughts on “Making a Difference”

  2. 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,”

    Liked by 1 person

    1. 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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        1. 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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  4. 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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    1. 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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  7. 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”

    Liked by 1 person

  9. 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.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. 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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  13. 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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  18. 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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