A Dedication Prayer
- Details
- Written August 1969
No ritual act of grudging sacrifice,
This sacred giving back the child we dare to call our own.
No routine clockwork: 'Well it's always done.'
Forbid it, Lord, the sin of thoughtless prayer.
It's no mere plea for purity restored;
We come to bring this flesh of our flesh,
Miracle of self, incarnate here before our eyes.
Forgive, dear Lord, our deep possessive love.
Again, no time for naming: Catherine Ann
Completes our trinity of human love
With names we bear and gave.
Pray God she'll bear your son's name too.
August 1969
Chikankata, Zambia