God
I know this prayer
Is of little interest to You
You know I
Struggle with You
Like Jacob
Who became "Israel"
When he wrestled
With You
My belief
Or disbelief
Effects You
Not at all
Words of praise,
adoration,
Adulation
Leave You
Unmoved
Did you vanquish
My enemies?
Lead me
Beside still waters?
Restore my soul?
I doubt it
Do You care
If I eat traif?
Work on the Shabbat?
But I believe——
You observe
The choices
I make
How
I treat other
Living beings…….
The small mercies
The acts of kindness
When no
One is watching
Except You
I believe this life
Is one of many
As precious
As ephemeral
As a perfect
Snow flake
I believe
You observe……
When
I evolve
When
I choose to love
When
I overcome
Fear
When
I don't succumb
To cynicism and anger
I believe
That evil
Saddens You
But
Free will
Is
The rule
Even You
Don't break
Suffering is universal
That
Suffering is not punishment
It is a path
To teach
Compassion for others
I do not know
Perfection
Only intention and effort
You know
My desire
To know You
Is why
I wrote
This poem