If You Want Nothing for Yourself

​If you want nothing for yourself,
Prayer is hard,
If you bring everything
Into the Divine yard,

But everything
Is the play of light
Of feelings and demands,
Of day and night,

And prayer itself
Its expression and bent
The nature of yearning
An organizing intent

For life and for honor,
Wealth and peace,
Children and joy,
Fullness and release,

These are the horses
Upon which ride
Wisdom and holiness
Side by side,

These are the language
Of the kindness of God,
And prayer is their soul
And clearest facade,

And this spirit
That drives the soul
Is itself the base,
The construct of the whole,

Like breath and food,
Building, growing,
Health, the clean snowing,

And then prayer enters the heart
And you descend from the sky,
Where there is no desire,
No impulse to cry,

But you pour out your heart
Like a servant pouring out
Water, seeking favor,
Life, without a doubt

Seeking health of the body,
Light of the plane
Whose kindness here
Is earth-churning rain.