A Poem About Prayer

The Prayer of Cyrus Brown

"The proper way for men to pray."
said Deacon Lemuel Keys,
"the only proper attitude
is down on his knees."

"Nay, I should say, the proper way to pray,"
said Reverend Dr. Wise,
"is standing straight with outstretched arms,
with rapt and upturned eyes."

"Oh, no, no, no!" said Elder Snow.
"such posture is too proud.
A man should pray with eyes fast closed
and head contritely bowed."

"It seems to me his hands should be
austerely clasped in front,
with both thumbs pointing to the ground,"
said Reverend Dr. Blunt.

"Last year I fell in Hodgkins' well,

head first," said Cyril brown,

"with both my heels a stickin' up,

my head a pointin' down.

"And I done prayed right then and there,

the best prayer I ever said,

the prayin'est prayer I ever prayed,

a standin' on my head!"