Page 44 - Prayer Book

44
Prayer B o ok
“as if ready
for a long time”
K. Kavafis
Lord,
In this trembling moment of uncertain breath,
I meet You beside the moment of my non-existence.
Our rendezvous is in that narrow and dark alley,
at night,
where the abyss gapes beneath my feet.
In this moment, I do not ask You.
Nor do I have time to enjoy Your beauty.
In this moment, I exist.
I exist, as You willed.
To exist and not to exist.
I exist because You have granted me yet another
moment to exist.
In this moment, which contends
with my non-existence,
I am clinging to You.
Something within me feels a profound thank-you,
without uttering words—0nly within the silence
that whispers thank-you to You.
I think I am ready.