Prayers for peace

I see me, waiting

In a periodic Waning

A worth discarded

By my own being

In the context of life

Have we lived tall

And if yes, so what

Death is to us all

I approach, willfully 

With candor, in glee

To be rid, be rid

All likeness of me

So then Sumerians

Harappanites, you too

At least you left pottery 

I'll leave sans a clue

Sudden, just universe

Agreeing to painful

To become silence

Grant me, be merciful.

## Line-by-Line Analysis

**Stanza 1:**

* **"I see me, waiting"**: The speaker begins by acknowledging their own existence and the passage of time.

* **"In a periodic Waning"**: This suggests a cyclical nature to life, with a constant sense of decline or decay.

* **"A worth discarded"**: The speaker expresses a feeling of self-doubt and a belief that their value has been diminished.

* **"By my own being"**: This reinforces the idea that the speaker's self-worth is primarily determined by their own perception.

**Stanza 2:**

* **"In the context of life"**: The speaker shifts to a broader perspective, considering their existence within the larger context of life.

* **"Have we lived tall"**: This suggests a desire for a meaningful or significant life.

* **"And if yes, so what"**: This line expresses a sense of indifference or detachment, even in the face of a potentially fulfilling life.

* **"Death is to us all"**: This is a reminder of the inevitability of death, a universal experience shared by all.

**Stanza 3:**

* **"I approach, willfully"**: The speaker suggests a conscious and deliberate acceptance of death.

* **"With candor, in glee"**: This implies a sense of relief or even joy in the face of death, perhaps as a release from the burdens of life.

* **"To be rid, be rid"**: This repetition emphasizes the speaker's desire for complete erasure, to be free from their own existence.

* **"All likeness of me"**: This suggests a desire to leave no trace of their identity or memory.

**Stanza 4:**

* **"So then Sumerians"**: The speaker compares themselves to ancient civilizations who left behind tangible artifacts.

* **"Harappanites, you too"**: This continues the comparison, highlighting the contrast between the speaker's potential for oblivion and the enduring legacy of these civilizations.

* **"At least you left pottery"**: This emphasizes the tangible evidence of these civilizations' existence.

* **"I'll leave sans a clue"**: The speaker expresses a fear of disappearing without leaving a trace, contrasting their own potential fate with that of the ancient civilizations.

**Stanza 5:**

* **"Sudden, just universe"**: This suggests the unpredictable nature of death and the universe's indifference to individual existence.

* **"Agreeing to painful"**: This acknowledges the physical and emotional pain associated with death.

* **"To become silence"**: This emphasizes the finality of death, the ultimate erasure of consciousness.

* **"Grant me, be merciful"**: This final plea suggests a lingering fear or uncertainty, even in the face of acceptance.

## Analysis of "Prayers for Peace"

**Theme:** The poem explores the profound themes of mortality, self-worth, and the search for meaning in life. It delves into the human condition, the fear of oblivion, and the desire for peace and acceptance.

**Imagery:** The imagery is striking and evocative. The "periodic waning" suggests a cyclical nature to life, with a constant sense of decline or decay. The contrast between the speaker's potential for oblivion and the tangible artifacts of ancient civilizations is particularly powerful.

**Tone:** The tone is introspective and melancholic, with a hint of resignation. The speaker's acceptance of death is tempered by a lingering fear or uncertainty, expressed in the final plea for mercy.

**Structure:** The poem is concise and well-structured, with each stanza contributing to the overall theme. The repetition of "be rid" emphasizes the speaker's desire for complete erasure.

**Significance:** The poem offers a thought-provoking exploration of human existence, touching on universal themes of mortality, self-worth, and the fear of the unknown. It invites readers to contemplate their own place in the world and the meaning of life.

**Overall:** "Prayers for Peace" is a powerful and poignant exploration of existential themes, presented in a concise and evocative manner. It is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to delve into the depths of the human experience.