nothing for nothing

 
 
the dying pray for another  
minute,  
 
the hungry beg for  
food,  
 
the desperate scream for  
hope,  
 
the sinner kneels for  
forgiveness,  
 
the lonely ask for  
love,  
 
the trees dream of  
rain,  
 
cities want to be  
eternal,  
 
the junkie wishes for a clean  
needle,  
 
the fetus in the womb plans  
escape,  
 
the world clamours for  
peace.  
 
and in all this asking,  
wanting, needing, begging,  
dreaming, wishing,  
plotting, praying,  
 
the desert winds blow  
dust across a cold,  
choking night sky  
 
and the devil laughs  
quietly to  
himself .