Half Renga by Michael Shoemaker and michael parker

prayers are pink water

lily petals reaching high 

skyward blue

          serene words, peaceful refuge

          spring's heart-to-heart communion

some say prayer is 

the Christian's native air

and gasp the words now 

          "Thy Kingdom come and will be

          done," arises from our hearts

"Thy faithfulness is

great," our hymns of praise 

stretching out unto Thee

          sensing the bright shade of peace

          feeling the contours of hope

prayers are oxbow streams 

filtering souls--giving

habitat for life

          small piece of heaven on earth

          and love from the Lord's outreach

Oh Father, Thou hast

heard us on pinnacles and

deep in ferny bogs

          on turquoise oceans and seas

          in the suburbs and cities

on sweaty bus seats

in distressing interviews

in idle airports

          in hectic days, sleepless nights

          in humble meditations

in hospitals'

echoing corridors

suing for peace

          even in protestations

          and our kind affirmations

prayer is a humble 

caged sinner's plea

freed to saints' rejoice

          the appeal of the beggar,

          the depressed, or in despair

pray always

continuance in prayer

pray always

          ask, seek, knock: you will receive

          find, and it will be opened