RICHIE KHARIS

OH PRAY FOR US!

Oh pray—that we may be emancipated

For Mother Earth is impatient
Dancing to dark drums
Blind as a bat, stubborn as a mule
Resisting God, her Creator

Drinking sweat, stinking of fish
Wearing stones upon her wrinkled neck
Chained in pursuit of power and evolution

Oh pray—that we may be emancipated

For I hear bells—foul and heavy—ringing warnings
Consciousness weeps for resurrection
Eyes beg to behold the light

Mouths, webbed with chicanery, tremble—
Still crying:

Bring back our rectitude