Prayer Without Words - Mary Gauthier

Packing vagabond visions and a dream drenched hunger for a home

Swaddled in road dirt, blood stained blankets and poems

On a stormy suitcase Sunday I awakened to the scream of the birds

They held their high notes and offered prayer without words

Sinking in asphalt, speechlessness and what coulda been

Surrounded by strangers, scarred stars, stoned broken men

Riding the narcotic night 'til she swerved and smashed into the curb

Morning spilled from the wreckage and offered prayer without words

Chains on the mast pull the past, nothing lasts but nothing ever ends

I leave town, break new ground, break down, leave town again

Trapped in the circle, anchored to the weight of the world

Under shooting stars that sink the skies and offer prayer without words

Justice rides with jaundiced eyes, jaded judges bleed the broken bench

Liberty’s a homicide, she been flogged to death with money’s monkey wrench

Desperado apostates set fire to every holy word we’ve heard

Silence billows from the burning book and offers prayer without words

Surrender, that sweet cleaning girl, folds white flags in Hallelujah Square

She can’t remember where she’s been, one day I’m gonna join her there

Unpack my battered traveling case, hang out a sign that says «Do Not Disturb»