Sometimes it is best when you sit
and speak nothing, pray nothing, but be still.
Yet such actions contradict much
you have absorbed about prayer, against your will.

You learned the yes, Jesus tag
to affirm prayers of others. Times are rare
when you’ve muttered it, shyness shuts
your mouth, reservedness cuts off your air.

You return to silence again,
earplugs a necessity to shut out
any noise. Oh, to be alone
as you can. To be still. To subdue doubt.