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Late Call

Diana Hendry

Lord, this is pip-squeak calling.
Even with your infinite technology
I expect your line’s busy. Therefore
forgive me my witter, tucked up
as I am in my comfy-comfy
with the telly and all its disasters on.
I expect you’ve seen. I expect
eternity’s in Widescreen.

I hardly like to mention my imaginary
ills, the disturbance in my head,
the way I can’t live with you or without.
I run out of usefulness. Grow fat
with anxiety. On a fine morning
I rejoice in your mystery. At night
I listen to your silence and despair.
Dread whatever end’s in store.

Attend, Lord, those in valid agony.
I’m just one of the whingers –
though perhaps, as an aside,
you could help me to age as beech leaves do,
transparent enough to let sunshine through.

Written in response to Psalm 102


Diana Hendry

from Late Love (Peterloo/Mariscat, 2008)

Reproduced by permission of Diana Hendry.

Tags:

ageing gods humour prayers telephones television the bible
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Diana Hendryb.1941

Diana Hendry is a poet, short story writer and the author of many children’s books.
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