We need some givers to carry the grace
when it exits the stage.
We need a ringmaster who cries as clearly
as a canary’s warning, and a rooted cadre of
seraphs to pad the mist that fills the abyss,
and a spritz or two of a necessary thing
that heals and is not lethal. We need these things
between breaths, after infernos,
and, if we keep them, then someone someday,
emerging restored after a walk
and supper, lives on. ~JSmith
(Composed on a template which was shared by my niece Krista.)
***
Her beautiful version:
Prerequisites
We need some string to tether the moon
when it flees the sky.
We need a still slipknot that holds as loose
as a hand’s whisper, and a shadow shawl of
nightspill to pad the ache that fills the edges,
and a wisp or two of a wishful thing
that cries and is not answered. We need these things
between idlings, after dusk,
and, if we keep them, then someone someday,
wandering wild after a walk
and supper, gathers cold. ~Krista Elliott
***
Here is the template. Please share YOUR take on it here in Comments — I want to read your poetry!
Prerequisites
We need some ___ to ___ the ___
when it ___ the ____.
we need a ____ ____ that ___ as _____
as a _____’s ___, and a ____ ____ of
_____ to pad the ___ that fills the ___,
and a ____ or two of a ____ thing
that ____ and is not ____. We need these things
between ____ , after _____,
and, if we keep them, then someone someday,
_____ _____ after a walk
and supper, _____.
Playing for Time 
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