Prayer Shawl



Worn carpet, smelling of
body sweat & animals,
bright red shawl – soft soft yarn –
draped over bowed head;
this is a ritual since December
Feet on carpet. Knees on raised stair.
Low tune from the heater as warm
current brushes thigh, back;
keeps cold from distracting.
Forehead resting on mattress,
palms clasp.
I do not pray for my sins;
that would be dishonest.
I do not pray for your sins;
that would be arrogant.
I pray for the courage of another day
and the company of angels.

About this poem

Published in The Widow's Handbook. The Kent State Press.2014 From Ariel's Waiting Room Collection.

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Written on October 22, 2011

Submitted by Ariel on September 19, 2021

Modified on March 05, 2023

26 sec read
6

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABCDEFGHIJKLMLNOB
Closest metre Iambic trimeter
Characters 474
Words 89
Stanzas 1
Stanza Lengths 17

Ariel

Ariel is a full-time Pacific Northwest poet, often participating at Oregon Open Mics events. She has been published in Gold Man Review, AIM, The Widow’s Handbook, and most recently in Terra Incognita, On The Platform Waiting and Free From Monsters. Ariel often collaborates in many Willamette Valley poetry/art projects and is a member of Oregon Poetry Association, Mid-Valley Poets Association, Willamette Writers and Poet. Her website is poetariel.net. more…

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