English

" Father, teach me how to pray, "
Tell me what I ought to say,
I would pray like Jesus.

" Father, teach me how to live,
I to Thee my best would give,
I would live like Jesus.

" Father, teach me how to serve,
And Thy holy will observe,
I would serve like Jesus. "

I.

Father of mercies, in thy word
What endless glory shines?
For ever be thy name ador'd
For these celestial lines.

II.

Here, mines of heavenly wealth disclose
Their bright, unbounded store:
The glittering gem no longer glows,
And India boasts no more.

III.

Here, may the wretched sons of want
Exhaustless riches find:
Riches, above what earth can grant,

every day
every time i leave my house
everywhere i go
i pin on my knapsack
twin petal-small flags
to which my allegiance is pledged
whole

these flags are not monkeys on my back
i carry them as a coat of arms
mantles of double brotherhood
they shield like second skin
to drape my dreams

one floats rainbow
the other wings tricolor
both bold with movement
i am not ashamed
of what they stand for
when their meaning is
questioned

Father! I'm hungered! give me bread;
Wrap close my shivering form!
Cold blows the wind around my head,
And wildly beats the storm.
Protect me from the angry sky;
I shrink beneath its wrath,
And dread this torrent sweeping by,
Which intercepts our path.
Father! These California skies,
You said, were bright and bland —
But where, tonight, my pillow lies, —
Is this the golden land?
'Tis well my little sister sleeps,
Or else she too would grieve;
But only see how still she keeps —

Father, I know that all my life Is portioned out for me;
The changes that are sure to come, I do not fear to see:
I ask thee for a present mind, Intent on pleasing thee.

I would not have the restless will That hurries to and fro,
Seeking for some great thing to do, Or secret thing to know;
I would be treated as a child, And guided where I go.

I ask thee for the daily strength, To none that ask denied,
A mind to blend with outward life, While keeping at thy side,
Content to fill a little space, If thou be glorified.

1. Father, hear the prayer we offer: Not for ease that prayer shall be;
2. Not forever in green pastures Do we ask our way to be;
But for strength, that we may ever Live our lives courageously.
But the steep and rugged pathway May we tread rejoicingly.

3. Not forever by still waters
Would we idly quiet stay;
But would smite the living fountains
From the rocks along our way.

4. Be our strength in hours of weakness;
In our wanderings, be our guide;
Through endeavor, failure, danger,
Father, be thou at our side!

my feet mark the passage of time
i leave off where i started
the hospital
fingering my toes

in time i am healthy
robust waiting
for the light
humming waiting

bells toll
in slow solid measures
the bolt that connects my arm whispers
and the way i sweat
in bursts and starts
in increments
i talk in measures
if and when
plan in yardsticks
less than three feet long
i will go to the wedding
the graduation is a wait and see
see and wait

Father, and Bard revered! to whom I owe,
Whate'er it be, my little art of numbers,
Thou, in thy night-watch o'er my cradled slumbers,
Didst meditate the verse that lives to show,
(And long shall live, when we alike are low)
Thy prayer how ardent, and thy hope how strong,
That I should learn of Nature's self the song,
The lore which none but Nature's pupils know.

The prayer was heard: I "wander'd like a breeze,"
By mountain brooks and solitary meres,
And gathered there the shapes and phantasies

no point in crying injustice
shooting off in public places
they are slack-handed and wet-eyed
with sympathy

can confession aid the process
the fellowship of mourners
propping themselves up
on heart-rending commiserations
brave corners bending
blank eyes staring

time waits for no man
it comes for you
alone you spit
yank your flaccid member
cry envious tears for
young folks caressing
at your side

strike back with amorphous ammunition
refuse the paisley-patterned despair

A farmer went trotting upon his grey mare,
Bumpety, bumpety, bump!
With his daughter behind him so rosy and fair,
Lumpety, lumpety, lump!

A raven cried, Croak! and they all tumbled down,
Bumpety, bumpety, bump!
The mare broke her knees and the farmer his crown,
Lumpety, lumpety, lump!

The mischievous raven flew laughing away,
Bumpety, bumpety, bump!
And vowed he would serve them the same the next day,
Lumpety, lumpety, lump!