Without Ceasing

A Post-Christmas Poem

A friend once told me
That’s why the bells ring
To remind us of the steady hand of God 
Triumphing over the chaos.

And didn’t Clarance say the same thing
To George at the end of his rope?
Or maybe that was more about
How angels get their wings or something. 

Either way, whenever I hear a bell now
I stop for a second and pray. 
An “Our Father” here.
A “Hail Mary” there.
Maybe a little freestyle if time allows.

So while the kids break into their new Christmas present,
The musical instrument kit their grandparents purchased,
I find myself “praying without ceasing” as The Good Book says
Every time they stab those triangles.

But dammit I have no obligation to the maracas.