Prayer Chain

My mother called to tell me
about an old classmate of mine who

was dying on the parish prayer chain --
or was very sick -- or destitute --

or it had not worked out -- the marriage --
or the children were all on drugs -- and

all the old mothers were praying intensely
for all the pain of their children

and for life -- they were praying for life --
in their quiet rooms -- sipping decaf coffee --

I bet they've been praying for me at times --
so I'll find my way -- so I won't rob a bank --

I'll take them -- the mystical prayers of old mothers --
it matters -- all this patient and purposeful love.

Tom Nowlan, The Sound of It (New Rivers Press, 2008)