Psalm 141 (revised)

(let my prayer be set forth in your sight as incense
the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice)

grey and greased dishwater
late, last thing – the whole day
and nothing
      consecrated

slouched in dullness
couch crumbed, mindless TV

& even sleep held under
a skim of chemicals

sleep your great benediction
a tide, filling and emptying – the body
a jar – prayer
as a kind of drowsing

from the fry pan I lift
my hands
      dripping like hyssop

***
Psalm 141
(The title is Ps 141:2)