Morning Prayer

This morning, as I pulled late into work,   

I realized, suddenly, that I forgot to pray. 

Not from my moral duty did I mean to shirk 

But my mind wandered with the beauty on the way.

I thought about the royal sun that slowly rises, 

(The source of light that night could not long keep at bay)

And his ongoing magnum opus which suffices         

To make one wonder at what it could all convey.

In awe I saw the pompous waves of stratus clouds 

With mixed pastels of rosy pink and purple hues.   

“Gaudete!” their vestments joyously announced

Of what the conquering sun emerging then imbued.

For soon the sky with all his grandeur did diffuse

(Till the sun’s brilliance blazed past everything in sight)

What it foreshadowed I could not then help but muse:

That one day all will be revealed and brought to light.  

And those same rays that penetrate to keep us warm  

Likewise embrace the moon to guide us through the night.

What comfort to know that amid every life storm

His rays of grace remain to get us through the fight.  

But I then pondered at the brightness of that fire:

Perpetual flame which burns and burns yet’s not consumed.

And as it grew, so too did an ardent desire

To see his visage, within me slowly bloomed. 

I turned amazed to see his face radiant with splendor,

And his magnificent display I tried to peer.  

So full of wonder was I—I could only utter,  

“Truly, it is good that we are here.” 

But overwhelmed I held his gaze just for a moment,

Since to maintain it—just impossible to hold! 

Who would’ve thought that what was my very enjoyment,

Could also to the proud be torment when too bold.

But soon all white, celestial light revealed his glory! 

How could the heavens hold such mighty majesty?

And to think that I am too part of his story!

And that each morn contains such marvelous mysteries. 

T’was only then of my neglect I grew aware

For my commute passed in the blinking of an eye. 

So short of time, I made this my profound prayer: 

“Good morning, O most sovereign Sun on high.”