Robin Amy Bass

PRAYER AND MEDITATION

I’m advised to quiet my mind
Envision – perhaps – a clean slate
But all the noise in my head
Stirs round and will not abate

It’s suggested that just for today
I seek a spiritual path
So I set out on my way
Determined to let go of wrath

And pride and envy and blame
Just leave the wreckage behind
When I hold on to these traits
I hear my old tapes rewind

And all the words in the text
The one called basic and true
Sound jumbled mumbled and trite
They leave me feeling so blue

Much like a blanket of snow
Pristine – but icy and hard
And me – I’m tempted to run
A voice inside says – disregard

The one who says he can help
It asks – what’s in it for him?
It’s says – the branch will just snap
So why go out on a limb?

But I have nothing to lose
Except this terrible pain
So I will just act as if
For now – pretend to be sane

Until by God’s honest grace
My spiritual strength is restored
For now – I’ll quiet this mind
And pray the rest is ignored

Until by God’s honest grace
My serenity is re-gifted
For now I’ll quiet my mind
And ask my obsessions be lifted