Impossible and unending (revised)

I arrived

during the homily,

gladly found 

a place in the back.

Thought of you

and prayed for you.

For all this week

has brought your way.

But more,

for daily life, fear, pain

that must seem

impossible and unending.

Afterward I hopscotched

my way forward through

congregants making

their way home.

And lit a candle,

thinking of you.

And hoping for something better,

anything, better.

I lit a second,

and quickly a third.

Soon realizing I would run out of candles

before I ran out of people and prayers

So I quit.

Quit lighting candles,

that is, not prayers,

and left.

Impossible and unending

I arrived

During the homily

And gladly found

A place in the last row

Thought of you

And prayed for you

For all this week

Has brought your way

But more,

For daily life and fear and pain

That must seem

Impossible and unending

Afterward I went forward

Past those

Making their way home

Or to a favorite lunch place

And lit a candle

Thinking of you

And hoping for something better,

Anything, better

I lit a second

And quickly a third

Soon realizing I would run out of candles

Before I ran out of people and prayers

So I quit,

Quit lighting candles,

That is, not prayers,

And left