THE FOLLOWING POEM WAS SELECTED IN WINGWORD POETRY PRIZE 2023 LONGLIST.

Though faithless all night long

when you wake up, you could

attempt a prayer

you could resume the piano chant

from grand or upright versions

consoling with sharps and flats

black and white keys

varied pitches ,octaves ,accidentals

sheer sustainment of chords for relief.

Standing but not tallest,

while we are faithless ,

the sky is not liberal

blocks you like the ground -

hands raised upward

must lift in supplication .

What enters your vulnerable heart

is no music just the pitter - patter

of rainstorms which turn scary .