THE FOLLOWING POEM WAS SELECTED IN WINGWORD POETRY PRIZE 2023 LONGLIST.
Though faithless all night long
Though faithless all night long
when you wake up, you could
attempt a prayer
you could resume the piano chant
from grand or upright versions
consoling with sharps and flats
black and white keys
varied pitches ,octaves ,accidentals
sheer sustainment of chords for relief.
Standing but not tallest,
while we are faithless ,
the sky is not liberal
blocks you like the ground -
hands raised upward
must lift in supplication .
What enters your vulnerable heart
is no music just the pitter - patter
of rainstorms which turn scary .