A PRAYER TO THE 'GODS'

You've touched a light and starry breast
And stilled the heart within to rest;
Then heard the Universal bars
Through rhythm of the endless stars.

You've ebbed and swelled in golden glow
Where planets and the stars all flow;
Then weaved a lace of brilliant spheres
That dropped to Earth like cosmic tears.

You've walked upon some unknown shore
And braved the jungles to explore;
Then watched the pulsing, changing seas
For signs of struggling humanities.

You've listened and through ages heard
The crying in our spoken word;
Like babes who first learn to stand
And need the help of someone's hand.

You've watched us rising upward
And saw us reaching outward;
Then, all at once, you understood
And knew our need for brotherhood.

To you, we send our silent plea
From all on Earth, "We must be free!"
End now our long sojourn here
And return us to the stars, so near.

Make us, once more, starry vagabond
Who sail to distant worlds and then beyond;
And show us that our spirits can traverse
Through every mystic realm of this Universe.

Forgive us for all the wrongs we've done
And love us as a father loves his son;
Then protect us, for we shall not roam
At last we know - we are finally home.

by Patricia Hayes