suggested by Louis MacNeice’s ‘Prayer Before Birth’
you arrive another
i accommodate
not cosset or indulge
build or tear down walls for
shield from error or rehearse
in wise lies and urges for blood
not mute the voices
that prick you trick you dope you
make much and little of your skin and size
rope you into thinking their certainties
quiet you when you oppose
i lay an ample spread
seas to go down to
giants to look up to
fields to bend your back
hills and soft rain ways to tramp
forests to cool you
deserts to level your head
i offer small days and big
sundry plain dapple a flame within
i ask you be you and be good
good makes sense for all things
evil’s a septic wound of mind
i offer you a chance to love
and many chances to be kind
i offer you an ending
the universe spreads rumours and wild fires
i’m a small safe corner
your bright idea for now
hear me