Once I walked along the shore, <br />Lonely, but happy, when I saw, <br />An old homeless man - torn and ragged were the clothes he wore. <br />He stood in the sunset; all was silent, except for a bird’s caw. <br /> <br />He raised his arms in prayer, and cried, <br /> <br />“Lord I want to ask You this, <br />Rain down Your blessings on those below, <br />Let them feel your healing kiss, <br />For sickness grips many like a foe. <br /> Set them free! <br /> <br />“Send angels’ songs to bring them bliss, <br />To all: rich, poor, mute or poet… <br />Let their pain fade into the mist, <br />Let them feel your loving touch and know it. <br /> I fall to my knees! <br /> <br />“You who guide the world to find a path, <br />Through awesome battles and evil’s blast, <br />Help them break free of sickness’ wrath, <br />Make their pain a dim memory of the past. <br /> May it be! ” <br /> <br />Wearily, he walked and sat down in a park. <br />A policeman came and looked at him with a frown, <br />“Vagrants are not allowed here after dark. <br />You’ll need to move to another part of town! ”<br /><br />Mary Naylor<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-beggar-s-prayer/
