I said it like a prayer,
Like something to be worshiped,
To be loved, to be feared, to be exalted.
I told it I would listen
I would be obedient,
I would allow for all it had planned.
I asked it to be kind,
To be benevolent,
To not hit with a closed fist.
But when it did come to hurt me,
when it came with a lashing tongue
And knuckles made of steel,
I asked that it do so with care.
That it explain all the reasons
why I deserved it,
and all the reasons
why I should still stay.
And I believed it.
The Junction Journal 
This blog spoke to me because prayer consists in my daily life and I was able to feel a connection to your description because of our commonality in our perspective. Your repeated use of the word “it” makes me wonder what you could possibly be referring to, makes me intrigued. I like when you said, “But when it did come to hurt me…I asked that it do so with care. That it explain all the reasons why I deserved it, and all the reasons why I should still stay” along with the ending “I believed it” because it shows a correlation. How even through hardships, you were able to stick to that belief because I know it takes a lot of understanding and patience. The poem structure separates into different comparisons but each one with the same word choice of “it” which stood out to me. That use of the word “it” opened my mind and helped me connect to what both of us think.
LikeLike
Thank you for your response Beren! This is a very deep and personal piece, and I’m glad you were able to enjoy it. – Brenna
LikeLike
I am able to relate to this post because prayer is something that plays a huge role in my life. Ever since I was a child I vividly remember praying to the images of saints. It felt comforting to pray to holy figures. It gave me a sense of hope in a world full of turmoil and grief. Anytime I was alone and felt weak I simply poured my heart out in prayer. God seems to be the only being who will listen to your prayers and never neglect you. There were times in which I cried my heart out in sorrow and by the end I felt relieved from it. Prayer is something that provides peace to anyone, simply the process of asking for mercy whenever we want it. It’s free and serves to establish communication with God. The simple words mentioned, “But when it did come to hurt me, when it came with a lashing tongue And knuckles made of steel, I asked that it do so with care. That it explain all the reasons why I deserved it, and all the reasons why I should still stay.” reminded me of all the times I begged God for mercy during my toughest trials and I had to be reminded that he was always with me when I was double-minded and doubtful.
LikeLike
Thank you for your response Daniel! I appreciate your view on prayer – I think it can be helpful, in some cases, to have a greater being to speak to. I like to think there is something more out there, whether it be God, the universe, etc, and they’re looking out for us in some way. – Brenna
LikeLike