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      August 21, 2017Lorena Parker MatejowskyLong Car Line Prayer

      Lord, deliver me from this long car line
      the burning surface parking lot of parents
      with too many crude tattoos the glares
      the reflection of my own falling face
      etched in minivan mirror mirror judge not
      let me be judged. Lord, deliver me from
      my fear of failing to pack a proper lunch 
      or Google charter school statistics. Deliver 
      me to field trips with happy boys from broken 
      homes leaning languid beside me on bumpy 
      bus seats. Let me be a light unto science teachers
      who pray to a man above the moon, magic 
      maker of Adam and atoms. Lord, hear my prayer 
      and delivery no deliver me to jail do not pass 
      in the car line. Deliver me a box of locally sourced 
      food to multiply for these masses these people 
      that keep coming. Lord, I’m guilty of giving 
      too little too late to school again the tardy bell 
      tolls for whom, Lord? Whom will I hustle through 
      school years and see on the other side? Lord, 
      give me enough energy to meet these kids halfway. 
      Show me how to be humble at halftime, how 
      to navigate new technology for teenagers. I believe 
      in my father, and school spirit, the dignity of dirty 
      laundry. Lord, hear my prayer. Lord. Who hears my prayer?

      from #56 - Summer 2017

      Lorena Parker Matejowsky

      “In my forties I had a bad panic attack that led to months of anxiety and depression. It was unexpected, horrible, and humbling. As I recovered, I began to tell a few trusted friends. Almost everyone I told had similar stories. The suburbs are full of them. Stigma and shame keep many of us silent. ‘Long Car Line Prayer’ was written right before it happened and reflects the overwhelming demands of modern motherhood I was feeling. I hope these words give someone solace in knowing they are not alone and can, indeed, get better.”

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