Inspired by Lucy Larcom’s “Plant a Tree”

A prayer is a blessing for the heart;
Produces joy and jolly,
Protects from foolish folly,
A never-ending growing gift from God.
A prayer is a blessing for the heart,
A sprout of strengthened faith with spreading parts.

A prayer is a melody of hope;
Chanted by a chirping bird,
Repeated by a grazing herd,
Rhythms to be ridden given by God.
A prayer is a melody of hope,
A soothing song of everlasting scope.

A prayer is a chest of treasure pure;
Glowing gems of gilded growth,
Riches to receive in both
Abodes by the bountiful Grace of God.
A prayer is a chest of treasure pure,
A plush provision of prophetic cure.

A prayer is lullaby of love;
Births bonds of doting bliss,
Brings anigh those who you miss,
An all-harmonic heart-to-heart with God.
A prayer is a lullaby of love,
A radiant ray of warmth from up above.

A prayer is a breeze of quiet peace;
A gush of caressing Khayr*,
A rush of collective care,
Pleading zephyr of buoyant zeal to God.
A prayer is a breeze of quiet peace
Wherein the willful winds of worries cease.

*Khayr: abundant goodness.

Photo via Simon Migaj

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About the Author: Sayyidah Aisha al-Yaqoubi is a teacher, writer, and a graduate of the Islamic sciences. She is currently pursuing a Master’s in the Maliki Fiqh.