Bicentenary Poems and Prose

America, I Pray For You!

America, I Pray For You!
To The Blessed Beauty

"O Thou kind Lord! This gathering is turning to Thee. These hearts are radiant with Thy love. These minds and spirits are exhilarated by the message of Thy glad-tidings. O God! Let this American democracy become glorious in spiritual degrees even as it has aspired to material degrees, and render this just government victorious. Confirm this revered nation to upraise the standard of the oneness of humanity, to promulgate the Most Great Peace, to become thereby most glorious and praiseworthy among all the nations of the world. O God! This American nation is worthy of Thy favors and is deserving of Thy mercy. Make it precious and near to Thee through Thy bounty and bestowal."

‘Abdu’l-Bahá1

America, I pray for you!
I pray that you will overcome
the prejudices and hate
that is killing your soul
and turning your citizens
against each other.

America, I pray for you!
I pray that the eyes
and the minds of your citizens
will be opened to the fact
that hate and prejudice
will turn your cities
into armed camps.

America, I pray for you!
I pray that soon
you will pass through this
Armageddon of hatred
that is destroying the souls
and the lives
of your citizens.


Poet's Note: ▼

I got this idea from a blog entry in "Melting Snow"  for August 13, 2017 called "Sunday Meditations: America, I Pray for You" . This is Poem 158 of 200 Dedicated to The Blessed Beauty.

Footnotes
1  Bahá’í Prayers, page 25