Prayer for Newtown II

Lord, we cannot
lift up our hearts
today. The hot
breath of chaos draws
tears from our eyes.
We crouch in silent 
playgrounds trembling
as little ghosts
tumble by in wakes
of leaves. We stare
hollow-eyed as we
enumerate the paths
of could have
lead to anywhere
but here. We press
against the door,
hide in the closet,
call to you,
but evil seeks us
out and we cannot
lift up our hearts
because we are
placing them in a
score of tiny
shrouds 
at
your 
feet.