Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A PRAYER OF CYRUS BROWN, by SAM WALTER FOSS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A PRAYER OF CYRUS BROWN, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The proper way for a man to pray
Last Line: "a-standing on my head."
Subject(s): Clergy; Prayer; Priests; Rabbis; Ministers; Bishops


"THE proper way for a man to pray,"
Said Deacon Lemuel Keyes,
"And the only proper attitude
Is down upon his knees."

"No, I should say the way to pray,"
Said Rev. Doctor Wise,
"Is standing straight with outstretched arms
And rapt and upturned eyes."

"Oh, no; no, no," said Elder Slow,
"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 toward the ground,"
Said Rev. Doctor Blunt.

"Las' year I fell in Hodgkin's well
Head first," said Cyrus Brown,
"With both my heels a-stickin' up,
My head a-pinting down;

"An' I made a prayer right then an' there --
Best prayer I ever said,
The prayingest prayer I ever prayed,
A-standing on my head."





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