by Lorri Ventura

Momentarily snared on resistance to change
   It tugs itself free
Pausing on a wave of optimism
   It catches its breath and resumes its upward journey

Energy restored, its sense of urgency returns
  Deftly dodging worldly doubts and despair
The faith-filled entreaty completes its journey
  To the ears that hear all
  
Confident of being received
    It nonetheless tries to elbow its way
Past eternal throngs of waiting supplications
    Convinced that its appeal 
Is the most undeniable of all

Anticipating its return with an answer
    That might not satisfy the recipient
The prayer smiles with the understanding
     That its existence sustains hope

---

Lorri Ventura is a retired special education administrator living in Massachusetts.  Her first collection of poetry, Shifting the Mind’s Eye, was published in 2024. Her writing has been featured in a variety of anthologies.