A Very Mary Variation
A Golden Shovel poem and a right angle poem written with a prayer on every next numbered word of each line, using a line from “When Death Comes” by Mary Oliver: “I don’t want to end up simply having visited this world,” after many prayers. 10/4, over and out.
10/4 – Over and Out
I
don’t pray for death, but I
want for the life here
to have a merciful hand easing her suffering to the
end without the crying. Lord, take her home –
up to Heaven when nightfall comes-
simply wrap her in your embrace for the journey,
having the promised place you’ve prepared for my mother-in-law a room
visited often by those there now who were Heaven-bound from
this sick world and already know Heaven’s joys. My mother-in-law did your work in this
world and is your good and faithful servant. Call her today, Lord, I pray. Amen.
Common Threads 