‘A Poet’s Prayer’ and Other Poetry by Joe Tessitore

A Poet’s Prayer

My words are lying, cold and still;
reproaching me, their silence shrill.
With emptiness, my heart they fill.
Inspire me, Lord, if You will.

Should You decide I’m past my prime
I’m still so grateful for the time
when, like a bell, my words did chime –
when You gave me the gift of rhyme!

My New Year’s Resolution

I touch the paper with my pen
and so it comes alive again,
to speak with those I’ll never see –
what message will it send from me?

Will I stand firm; will I not bend
and battle till the bitter end,
determined to annihilate
with poisoned words that spring from hate?

Or will I, like a little boy,
write simple words of peace and joy,
whose childlike innocence and charm
may bring a smile and might disarm?

I look within, whence I must start,
to see what lives inside my heart.

The Prodigal

As I return, late in the day,
crushed by a debt I can’t repay,
aware of what I’ve put you through,
I dare not raise my eyes to you.

Then this – too much to understand –
you turn to me and take my hand!
I struggle for a word to say,
but you just brush my tears away.

Boldly did I dare to wander.
Coldly did I choose to squander
all that you could e’er impart—
the gift of your most loving heart.

My arrogance led me astray.
Your mercy called me home to stay.

Channeling Shakespeare

The paradox
_of ridicule;
to paint none but
_thyself the fool.

L’ Chaim*

It spread.
They tell me in
six months that I’ll
be dead.

So now,
to make the best
of what I’ve left,
but how?

I think
I’ll raise my glass
“To life!” and have
a drink.

I see
it’s fear that binds
and love that sets
us free.

*This poem is not the result of a personal diagnosis, but of too many relatives and friends that have been diagnosed with cancer.

Joe Tessitore is a retired New York City resident and poet.