A Prayer for B. posted for Sam
I lay my hands upon thin air
in the name of the mother
the daughter
and the old lady
I lay hands upon you.
I dip my thumb in dark sweet oil
and anoint the air
in the name of amazing grace
I anoint you.
In the dust of the earth
I make the sign.
On your forehead
the sign is made.
All things in heaven and earth hear us.
Let us be honest
and tell the plain
terrible and righteous truth.
Every day is our last day.
When we say
today is a good day to die
then we can live it.
Love all of it
all that you can
and bless the rest.
Even the pain.
Lady, make us ready.
If we can do nothing
we can do it patiently
we can do it kindly
we can do it gallantly.
Lady, make us brave.
Make these words more than words.
From everlasting
to everlasting, amen.
