ryan scariano

Grace

Heavenly father and mother, sister and brother,

O great and wise aunt and laughing uncle,

thank you for bringing us to your table.

Please watch over us from this moment

forward. Guide us and our many long-lost

cousins through day and night. Allow us

to hear the song and smell the stove. Nourish

our desire to share. Help us in our gratitude

for the things we hold. Help us in our gratitude

for the thing belonging to all. Witness

our awe at being and having been. We implore you.

Grant us a sip from the cup of your grace.

Also, in your absolute wisdom,

we beseech your mercy on behalf

of the lion that would eat us for his dinner;

for we know his hunger is our own. Together

at your table we give thanks for this

divine hello and goodbye. Amen.