Night Litany

Our Lady of the late night hospital,
Lily of antiseptic, Queen of morphine drips,
I'm in so much pain.
White lady, help me.
Cool hands, make haste to help me.
Light of visions, Robe of roses,
I give you my skin.
Who squatted in a stable, swaddle me.
Who lost a child, lift me.
Who said yes, beyond
all reason, graciously --
graciously hear me.

Lady, the barest moon goes down
over the skyline, the sky
greens and deepens,
the moon like a pulled bow
and the star-spattered sky.
Lady of shadows, Lady of ferns
stirring, Lady of owls,
stay with me. The hours
fold like linen and the nurses
pad by on rounds. Seven-fold
hum of hospitals, Star
of drug-stranged dreams --
guide me.

Queen of refugees, this
is your place, cool Egypt
of cinderblock and wired glass.
Tent of oxygen, Lady
of partitions, Walled garden,
hear me. Who sobbed in darkness,
save me. Who carried swords,
make haste to save me.
I call on you, God
mother, powerful surrender--
watch over me.
I am stretched like a belly
but there's nothing in me.
Breathe over me. Lady.
Breathe over me.