THE OUCH OF AN OSTRICH
Strengthen me, Most Holy One,
To face my problems that abound,
With courage and intelligence.
No "cover-up!" No "runaround!"
Alas, my poor soul hates to face
Whatever dangers frighten me,
Instead I cover up my head
Or use my mighty legs to flee.
Is it because I have the
power
To run at 40 miles an hour
That I have never learned
to fly
Like birds who rocket through
the sky?
Why do I love to just pretend
That if I hide, my troubles
end?
That this "great bird"
folks think I am
Is an illusion and a sham?
O Holy One, give me the grace
Of one pure hour of honesty,
Then strengthen me as I become
The bird that I was meant to be:
Using my speed, my kick,
my size,
My awkward shape, my awesome
claws,
To face with the brave all
fearsome things,
For many a high and noble
cause.
from the forthcoming book Prayers of 100 Animals A to Z, by William Cleary
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