Waiting for Rita ' A Prayer

Like a TIVO slow-motion-replay of a terrible accident
is the mention of the name Rita,
layering dread upon souls
already drenched with misery;
while children with night terrors
of the rain
hold tightly to borrowed skirt-tails
or leap into borrowed arms to
wail the wail of the dejected.

Have mercy, O God,
upon your people; we are battered and broken.

Have mercy, O God,
upon your people; we are weary and worn.

Have mercy, O God,
upon the world that you created,
and upon the people who struggle to give you praise in the midst of the storm.

Have mercy, O God,
and grant us peace.