gripping (a prayer for texas)

i take it back
i take it all back

not given a choice
in the place of worshipping
the holy, rose the fire

and all the children cried
not yet knowing the grace

of an eternal father

not yet knowing anything but
their hands against the pew

and the sweaty palm of a mother

before the somber stones
erupted in flames.

last night in the incensed hall
there were candles and the name

the word was spoken to my unknowing ears

and still like all i nodded my head under the weight
of an unknown tragedy, not knowing the little gripping fingers,

not knowing it was white bones that hung clinging to my bending neck.




May we all raise our Heads for you,
May we Never let you fall.