# Prayer explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Langston Hughes.

## What happens

A speaker prays to God for guidance, asking which path to take, which sin to bear, and which crown to wear, expressing uncertainty and a plea for direction.

## Themes in this chapter

### Dreams and Despair

The speaker's uncertainty and plea for direction reflect a struggle between hope and despair.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown

The speaker who prays for guidance.

### Jesus

Addressed as 'Lord God' in the prayer.

## Key lines

> I ask you this: Which way to go? I ask you this: Which sin to bear? Which crown to put Upon my hair? I do not know, Lord God, I do not know.

The speaker asks God for direction, which burden to carry, and what identity to assume, admitting complete ignorance.

_The prayer expresses a deep existential uncertainty and a search for divine guidance._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_15_se/chapters/prayer
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_15_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_15_se/chapters