19th-century Spanish hand-tooled leather prayer devotional and 21st-century rosary handmade by nuns, Sevilla, Spain.
For Poetry Thursday, a poem based on the phrase "fragments of prayer." Within the past few days, this phrase keeps surfacing - the title of a song in rolling film credits, a line in a haiku, a mention in a book. And so I began to think about prayer. No matter how differently prayers are conducted, the meaning is the same in every culture and language - a wish, a hope, a desperate plea for something to change. And where could there be prayers more powerful than on a battlefield or in the hearts of loved ones left to worry and wonder?
Fragments of prayer
whispered words carried on the winds
to the far corners of the earth
will they be heard?
Wrong place at the wrong time
and no help is near
fervent prayers offered
bargaining for life
Here, he's praying for a child
fighting for a future
given half a chance, he'll try
to make things right
Soldiers sending up their pleas:
help me, Lord
let me watch my children grow
Please, God, I'll do anything
And here, as hope is lost,
a last fleeting thought
take care of my family
help keep them safe
In a remote desert
a hostage's silent entreaty
while his kidnappers shoot video
and the trail grows cold
All pawns in a deadly game
beneath reversible umbrellas
that masquerade as faith or oil
true believers or madmen
Same difference
in this wild frontier
no matter what faith or creed
all targets here
No time to ask questions
struggle to survive
innocent abroad's hard lessons
learned too fast, too soon
Heartfelt words in any language
offered to the heavens
from your mouth to God's ear
prayers swirl and rush
through the atmosphere
searching for solace
hoping for a miracle
Thanks for the many visits in the last few weeks. I thought this poem was wonderful. Not being very emotional, except on paper, I don't think it hit me the same way it did many other people. My favorite lines were "All pawns in a deadly game
beneath reversible umbrellas," probably because I love playing chess and think of people in this way. You have a wonderful site!
Posted by: Chris Sapp | 27 January 2007 at 23:20
This poem touched me Tara! "The trail runs cold" gave me chills...Excellent!
Posted by: Tammy | 27 January 2007 at 21:23
I could literally hear the prayers being whispered in this poem ~ powerful. Much peace & love, JP
Posted by: JanePoe (aka Deborah) | 27 January 2007 at 21:09
Yes, all so true. Your comments and haikus remind me that I very much want to see Letters from Iwo Jima, a new film directed by Clint Eastwood and receiving glowing reviews. Putting yourself in another's, the enemy's, place is an ability that the current US administration is completely devoid of.
Posted by: Laura | 26 January 2007 at 23:58
That part about "bargaining for life" really touched me. I am sure it is just like that, in fact. Let's hope none of us ever has to find out.
Posted by: Maryam in Marrakesh | 26 January 2007 at 18:39
The souls sincere desire oten spoken spoken in fragments. Touching post!
Posted by: Gemma | 26 January 2007 at 16:30
wow that was a very moving poem and I love the photo as well. Both are beautiful.
Posted by: poody | 26 January 2007 at 15:42
beautiful post. great picture.
Posted by: gautami tripathy | 26 January 2007 at 12:10
Beautiful poem.Great picture!
gautami
Posted by: gautami tripathy | 26 January 2007 at 12:08
Ah, Tara, I haven't been looking at many blogs the last week or two, so scrolling down to catch up here, I keep catching my breath. Your world is so filled with TREASURE! It's so marvelous! the buttons! The antique glass bottles! All amazing.
Posted by: Laini | 26 January 2007 at 08:16
beautiful!! thanks for sharing such vivid images and insights.
Posted by: nicole | 26 January 2007 at 05:16
Prayer is a beautiful thing. Your photo stunning and the poem touches me. I especiallylike the last verse.
Posted by: Jone | 26 January 2007 at 02:29
A very moving poem...I felt every word! Powerful. And..please come to Charleston!
Posted by: Pam Aries | 26 January 2007 at 00:43
the part with the soldier hoping to
live to his child grow -
very moving...
you have such a gift - truly-
with weaving emotions into your
words...
Posted by: sophie | 26 January 2007 at 00:34
poignant. first stanza could almost stand alone as a poem.
Posted by: my backyard | 25 January 2007 at 23:16
Too bad our current admiminstration doesn't read your blog. Or maybe they do, lurking in the shadows and taking notes.
Wonderful poem, Tara!
Posted by: January | 25 January 2007 at 22:54
Too bad our current admiminstration doesn't read your blog. Or maybe they do, lurking in the shadows and taking notes.
Wonderful poem, Tara!
Posted by: January | 25 January 2007 at 22:54
amen.
ps wonderful photo Tara and you ability to string lovely words together is an art.
Posted by: diana | 25 January 2007 at 22:20
Your poetry is as much a piece of the world as your pictures and your prose--thanks for letting us come along!
Posted by: pepektheassassin | 25 January 2007 at 21:54
So many prayers going on all around the world, everyday...lovely words and image, Tara.
Posted by: tinker | 25 January 2007 at 20:36
Beautifully done, I have nothing I can add to such moving prose.
Posted by: Brian | 25 January 2007 at 20:25
So very lovely and beautiful
Love Jeanne
Posted by: Jeanne | 25 January 2007 at 20:13
Thanks to your help, I'm able to read and comment! Thank you so much for that !!
This poem is like a cry, an inspiration. Beautiful.
Posted by: bella | 25 January 2007 at 20:12
Tara, you've really captured the essence of what is going on over there- in the hearts of both combatant and civilian and those caught in the middle.
It is truly sad...
Posted by: Regina Clare Jane | 25 January 2007 at 19:56
Your haiku is a prayer in and of itself. The photo is beautiful; I see the rosary is in "your" color! xoxoxox
Posted by: Colette | 25 January 2007 at 19:34
I fell in love with this picture, Tara. It is now floating on my desktop. Did you take this picture?
Tara responds:
Thanks Annie. I take all the photos on my website, unless otherwise credited.
Posted by: annieelf | 25 January 2007 at 18:49
Beautiful & troubling at the same time. Your poetry often offers me two or more such simultaneous places in which to ponder.
"...that masquerade as faith or oil..."
is my favorite. So much prayer happening & being heard of, talked about lately.
Posted by: Neasa | 25 January 2007 at 18:17
I love this poem you created here, it has that spiritual feel to it
Posted by: cathy | 25 January 2007 at 17:57
Tara,
Fragments of prayer. You pay close attention to the world around you and have a sense for what is going on in peoples hearts. These fragments are heart felt pleas. Desparate wishes to find peace. I've been there and thought and uttered some of the fragments you've poemed here.
Now I pray for the strength to endure and comprehend man's in humanity to man.
Well done!
amen.
rel
Posted by: rel | 25 January 2007 at 17:30
Oh Tara, I can't believe we shared this wavelength!! What a fine bird to be of feather with!
I feel as if your poems could be the key to our times, if ever found in the future. Some far away scientist trying to uncover our pleasures and pain, would find nestled neatly in your words.
You are a keen and deeply effective observer.
Well Done.
Posted by: wendy | 25 January 2007 at 16:03