Lavender

Feb 13, 2025 ⭐ View statistics (Premium feature)

Twenty Prayers and More

One prayer for Gaza
One prayer for Ukraine

One prayer for healing
One prayer for the pain

One prayer for fewer fossil fuels
One prayer for cleaner air

One prayer for the hungry
One prayer for aid and care

One prayer for no discrimination
One prayer for no spilled blood

One prayer for no drought
One prayer for no flood

One prayer for the elderly
One prayer for the youth

One prayer for forgiveness
One prayer for the truth

One prayer for the innocent
One prayer for the poor

One prayer for the grace
To pray one prayer more

About This Poem

Style/Type: Structured: Western

Review Request Intensity: I want the raw truth, feel free to knock me on my back

Editing Stage: Editing - rough draft

About the Author

Country/Region: United States

Favorite Poets: I tend to read Ted Kooser, Jim Harrison, Billy Collins, Paul Simon, Robert Frost. I like minimalist poetry, and poems reflecting on nature and Mother Earth.

This user supports Neopoet so it can be free to all

Comments

Rula

4 months 3 weeks ago

Amen, Amen

Wow! And wow again!
One more prayer to sustain!

What more to say!
Thank you for sharing this one dear Lavender!

Lavender

4 months 3 weeks ago

Hello, Rula,

Feeling the heaviness of all that seems harsh and impossible right now. Always appreciate your kind comments!
Lx

Geezer

4 months 3 weeks ago

I am not a big fan of such a long list starting out with an identical line, but this is done with such heartfelt earnestness, that I was won over. I too, wish for all the prayers that you have prayed. ~ Geez.
.

Lavender

4 months 3 weeks ago

Hello, Geezer,

I generally am not a fan of lists, either, and originally this was written in a much more complicated format. But then it felt that it needed to be as direct and simple as possible.
Thank you so much!
L

One

4 months 3 weeks ago

Praying...really

surely we are not reading a list of 20 things that prayer will have absolutley no effect on?

Thought this was a poetry forum not a religious outlet.

regards

One

Lavender

4 months 3 weeks ago

Hello, One,

This didn't feel religious when writing, more of a spiritual / meditation piece to the universe focusing on the issues of the world around me. For me, prayer leads to thinking, considering, and having empathy and compassion for others, which leads to a course of action - sometimes in a small way, sometimes much more significantly. Lots of poetry out there with a spiritual foundation.
Thank you for reading!
Lavender

Geezer

4 months 2 weeks ago

What...

a wonderful reply to One on his comment! ~ Geez.
.

Ruby Lord

4 months 3 weeks ago

Hi Lavender, these are just

Hi Lavender, these are just my thoughts and my opinion so they are open to interpretation.

Your poem touches on so many important issues. One thing I find myself wondering is whether poetry should always affirm what we already believe, or whether it can also challenge us, make us see life differently, question our own perspectives.

If your goal is to create an emotional connection with your reader, could there be space for more nuance? Perhaps inviting them to look beneath the surface and take a moment to reflect might deepen that connection further. Ruby xx

Lavender

4 months 3 weeks ago

Hello, Ruby,

Absolutely. Each of these issues could have an entire poem dedicated to it, dig further into its meaning, and leave the reader with a more thought-provoking, deeper connection, testing the beliefs of what's really there. And I actually tried, but my head is pretty full at this time. (Probably a good time to take a small break from writing...and watching the news.) :) Maybe I should have titled this Twenty Daily Thoughts and More. I appreciate and respect your opinions very much, Ruby, and your help with this.
Thank you!
Lxx

Ruby Lord

4 months 3 weeks ago

Hi Lavender, thank you for

Hi Lavender, thank you for your reply. I was a bit worried about commenting but after I'd read your poem many many times I knew you would prefer me to speak than to say nothing so thank you again. And twenty daily thoughts, I can understand that.

I've given up watching the news. My husband gives me the briefest headlines. I find the current situation harrowing and difficult to deal with so I've been sitting here writing for days. Take care, lots of love, Ruby xx

Lavender

4 months 3 weeks ago

Hello, My Friend,

Yes, I think things are rapidly consuming me and it's time to step back. Been writing quite a bit, too, but can't seem to concentrate, so I've turned to reading more poetry. Salve for the soul.
Much love to you and yours,
Lx

mark

4 months 2 weeks ago

Hi Lavender

I sort of agree with One that it is a list and prayer more than likely will not effect any of them.
I can say this, that some of the greatest poetry ever is based in religion.
Mark

Lavender

4 months 2 weeks ago

Hello, Mark,

No doubt it is a list poem, and no doubt, its theme is prayer. Not associated with any particular deity or faith - a simple meditative piece to the universe.
Thank you for reading,
Lx

Obadiah Grey

4 months 2 weeks ago

"Reply from God"

Sometimes silence is violent,
unspoken words beating
you about the ears
and paranoia going about his business.

Obi.

Not sure why you are "getting stick" from others about this poem but fuck 'em. I liked it.

Lavender

4 months 2 weeks ago

Hello, Obi,

I'm glad you liked it. It means a great deal.
Thank you. (And God.)
L
"Sometimes silence is violent..." History has proven it so.

mark

4 months 2 weeks ago

It's been a long time

but there was an intense time in my life when I prayed to the universe. Perhaps 20 times I'm not sure. I'm still alive, perhaps God's answer.
Thanks Lavender and Obi,
Mark

Lavender

4 months 2 weeks ago

Hello, Mark,

Thank you for coming back and spending time with this one.
I appreciate it!
L