lend me your exacting prayer,
and i will wear it faithfully.
your holy rumor will be spread
like baptismal oil, reflecting back
scintillating flames.
this life is one long day of worship--
throbbing blood against the world's
wide turn.
every time bones rattle their cage,
i'm slipped the key of a poem.
of which there is no safekeeping,
just the sounds of words picking
the lock--delight with me this
exquisite balm.
as i've lent you my
exacting prayer.