I pray this night for those who have lived
so long that no one who knows
can imagine life beyond them.
I pray this night for those whose breath was never strong;
whose lives are counted in days;
whose days are counted miracles.
I pray for those whose burdens
weigh down the sun and shackle the stars,
whose agony and ecstasy are out of this world.
I pray for us left in between, in the mess of
ordinary lives lived beneath the slight touch of blessing,
barely turning to hear who it was whispered our names.