Prayer
By Justen Ahren

I saw a girl in the snow wearing one red glove.
May she be happy.

It is cold and gray. The old dog barks at the end of his chain
at the morning ferry crossing the sound.

May you be at peace. Once again
the ponds and fields are opening.

Last night, peepers chanted in the pond in the woods.
May you be free of suffering.

May you be loved. We had a friend who went for a walk
and did not come home. May you be healed.

The roads are full of sand; the buds unfold.
There is no limit to what is given.

May you dwell in your heart. Again days will grow long.
Our eyes though small, see the enormous peace.

Our eyes though small see the enormous peace.
Again days will grow long. May you dwell in your heart.

There is no limit to what is given.
The buds unfold though the roads are full of sand.

May you be healed. We had a friend who went for a walk
and did not come home. May you be loved.

May you be free from suffering. Last night,
peepers chanted in the pond in the woods.

May you be at peace though it is cold and gray
and the old dog barks

at the end of his chain at the morning ferry,
crossing the sound. May you be happy,

girl in the snow, wearing one red glove.