Prayer

by Alex Plurad

A rare afternoon.
I bathe in sunlight.
The wind combs my hair
and beckons once more.
Façades and burdens
are cast aside for
watch, shoes, socks, and shades.
The tools of the trade
are kept to least
to make this all
worthwhile.

West on Normal,
            Head up.
around Still’s campus,
            Back straight.
towards the Square,
            Arms through.
and back down Franklin.
            Pitter-patter.
This and you
            Roll down the slope.
are on my mind.
            Pick up the pace.
I wish my pain
            Mind your breathing.
takes yours away,
            Cadence up the hill.
while the vigor in my veins
            Lengthen your stride.
gives you new life
            On your toes!
to bring you back home
            Now FLY!
and end the race.

 

Notes
Poetry
Published in Windfall Vol. 32
All rights reserved

This poem was structured improperly in the original printing of the magazine. The indentations and italicizations were left out in the second stanza. This is the correctly formatted version of the piece.

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