For me, poems share many of the qualities of a prayer, without the context of a deity.

Poetry are words full with music, feeling, and ideas that encourage engagement of the mind and heart. A prayer may be an offering, request, or intervention on behalf of another.

The spirit of a poem is that it takes on a life of its own as read. As all art, it becomes when experienced.

This poem forms part of the author's collected thoughts WITH AND ALONE.