/ prayer 2 /

Shut the left door quietly;
the right
will stay bare
and open–
no shades,
no curtains.

Wind down
to start the next,
you are
helplessly
on your own,
but powerless
to be alone.

Return
to the daily stretch;
neck
and shoulders,
knees
and toes–
stiffened,
hardened,
ordinary
and stowed away.

Make every effort
to reach that sweet, old twinge.
Hold it.
Know it.
Iron out.
and remain–
to enter rest
through the strange pleasure
of breathing pain.