Written Tales

Prayer of Confession, Day 298

A quiet flame burns while distant sirens carve the sky.

February 14, 2023

/ / / /

Father, here I am today 
in my quiet place, where 
I light the flame of peace. While
the incongruence burns my eyes.

We light the wicks we do not need,
we have electricity,
and half the world away my friends
light candles from necessity.
Sirens blare and missiles fall—
pyrotechnics in the air.
Hell fire rains down on them all
and the children cry with fear
and the children cry with fear.

Expectant mothers lie beneath
the earth, their children cradled in
broken, lifeless arms.
We, who are safe from harm,
light our candles as a sign 
we scarcely need, while others strain
in vain to hear a word from you
that peace and justice will prevail
that peace and justice will prevail.

So—here I am today, 
in a quiet place where 
I light the flame of peace. While
the incongruence burns my eyes…

the incongruence burns my eyes.

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