POSTER PRAYERS*
Kick me around a bit more, 0 Lord. I see at last there's no other way for me to learn your simplest truths.
The vices I've always had
I still have
The virtues I've never had
I still do not have
From this Human Way of Life
Who can rescue Man
If not his Maker?
Do thy duty, Lordi
Fly with the sparrow
but once a day,
thou cans't not, on that day,
be altogether unhappy.
Grant me, 0 Lord, the imagination
to fly with the sparrow
at least once a day.
N09 Lord,
not the fruit of action
is my motive,
But do you really mind
half a bite of it?
It tastes so sweet,
and I'm so hungry.
^Printed by permission of the author and courtesy of Gallery Chemould (Bombay), These Poster Prayers (Words: Nissim Ezekiel -- Design: R. K. Joshi) were on exhibition held at Gallery Chemould from 10-20 March 1975.