my word of holy caution

my
word
of
holy
caution

think of God's advance in years, I say,
when setting down yourself to pray;

that p’raps He’s turned life’s page
and come hard to hear in His old age.

oh, heed my cautionary word:

though you may think the thought absurd,
there may be more than hell to pay.

there’s risk in mumbled, unclear prayer 
that finds God's ears but poorly heard …
by God or any passing bat or bird.

when those words you choose---hey-hey!---
are wrongly heard by God at night or day,

oh, heed my cautionary word;

though you may think the thought absurd,
there may be more than hell to pay.