tender mercies

a prayer

being alive brings
bruising
breaks me open
a woman’s hard face—
she’s just lost her job
a child’s rage—
his mom’s run off

oh, please!
allow me to be tender
even those who
seem not deserving
who knows what
ravaging blow
they’ve suffered

allow me
to be merciful
it costs nothing
is free to share
watch it catch
one tender mercy
ignites another
a string of pearls
lighting our world

2023 ©Amrita Skye Blaine
I’m writing a poem a day. These are drafts—not final versions.