We all are

Coming into our own

Swimming elegantly

In our own circles-

Of light and hope

I went down to the river to pray (I don’t live anywhere near a river, it’s a metaphor)

by Fiona Goodwin

I went down to the river to pray, but I hadn’t made my bed and I knew that knowing that, even with my eyes closed, it would be a distraction.

I went down to the river to pray

But I couldn’t stop thinking about June and her sick dog And how upset she had been., so I went to the kitchen to find some incense and then I lit the incense and the room felt more like somewhere I could pray

I went to the river to pray

And I noticed that the smoke from the incense was being blown in my face by the fan heater that was on so I had to switch off.

I went down to the river to pray but

Without the heater on, I was getting cold so I thought it would be a good idea to get dressed, put some warm clothes on –

As I was dressing I looked at my hair and I knew it would be hard to pray with it being messy, but my comb wasnt in its usual place – it took a while to find it.

I went down to the river to pray – I realised there was a problem There was a number of other things, but that would make the poem way too long. Inthe end

I thought if I could just sit still that might help

I gripped the arms of the chair

I kept my eyes closed

Then I was able to pray.