Perched high on a roof
overlooking the city–
prayers fly for drivers
on the distant highway.
Each car, truck, SUV
housing a soul in need
of love, guidance, 
understanding.
I sense fear, anger,
sadness–also energy,
elation, intrigue–
amid speeding traffic. 
Please, I pray for peace.

Birds chirp and sing,
animating leafless trees.
My heart leaps at their notes,
desires to cling to birdsong.
In focus, birds singing;
in background, traffic humming.
No attachment, no aversion.
I get the message:
We can’t have one without the other–
all is part of life as it is now.
Present. Now.