Pray for Peace - Ellen Bass
Pray to whomever you kneel down to:
Jesus, the Universe, the Eternal Good.
Then pray for the bus driver who takes you wherever you want to go.
On the bus, pray for everyone riding buses all over the world.
Drop some silver in the coin box and pray for peace.
Pull weeds for peace, turn over in your sleep for peace.
Feed the birds, each shiny seed
that spills onto the earth, another second of peace
Pray for peace while you are waiting in line for the movies,
for the ATM, for your latte and croissant, offer a plea for peace.
Make your eating and drinking a supplication.
Make your slicing of carrots a holy act,
Pray for peace while you wash your dishes, when you think of your grandchildren,
when you drink wine with friends and family.
Pray for peace when you walk to your car, to the mailbox,
to the store. Let each step be a prayer.
And if you are riding on a bicycle
or a skateboard, or in a wheelchair, each revolution
of the wheels a prayer as the earth revolves:
less harm, less harm, less harm.
Pray for peace in fields of artichokes and elegant strawberries.
Pray for peace when you travel to exotic lands. When you sail your boat, pray for peace.
Pray for peace when you answer the telephone, use the computer.
study a legal brief, review a grant.
Make the brushing of your hair
a prayer for peace,
as you wash your face, the water slipping through your fingers, pray for peace:
Water, the softest thing on earth, gentleness that wears away rock.
Shovel snow from your sidewalk.
Make a path. Pray for peace.
Scoop your holy water
from the gutter.
Pray for peace as you mumble
through the streets. AMEN.
This is the beautiful poem read by Cathy O'Neill White prior to dinner on Saturday at the LeMont.
SFA Class of 1965
50th Reunion
April 10-12, 2015
