How Do You Pray?

I didn't forget the last question mark; I left it out.

Are you on your knees by your bed

with your hands curled up

and your eyes closed

and the words are the ones from church?

Are you at the sink brushing your teeth

with the day unraveling

in your head like a ribbon?

Are you on the gurney at the hospital?

Are you about to wreck?

Or is it like some great red flower

that took years to finally grow?

Do you rehearse the words first

like you’re talking to someone really important?

Do the words come instead

the way your head fits the pillow:

easy and soft?

Or maybe you’re in bed and it’s dark.

You’re pissed off and sad

about whoever’s at the next pillow over.

Does it come out of your mouth like a curse?

Is it like crying.