The Way a Ten-Year-Old Prays

At the foot of your bed
put your only treasure
on the windowsill

And make it very pink
Carry it around
for two weeks in a peacoat

Leave it there for God
Ask Him if He's listening
to give you a sign tomorrow

Then wake up in this room
See if this stone
from your mother's ring is gone

Make it your test and offering
Ask God to take it so you'll have
a sign that He's there, that He heard

Then wake up sweating at night
Think how much you love that stone
and don't want even God to take it

But don't touch the pink
Get up in the morning and be brave,
look for the stone on the windowsill

You will find the stone now
in a new place, not where you left it
but some place close enough to see

Now this is a secret
between you and God who listened
Move your lips to say a prayer

Watch what comes out,
not "thank you, God" or nothing
You are ten years old and serious,

a sage; hear yourself say,
"Good work God" — then laugh
Now go ahead, leave that stone.