Another Grace For A Child — Summary

A child stands before a meal and speaks directly to God, holding both hands up in prayer. The little speaker admits their hands are “cold as paddocks”—an old word for frogs—but still lifts them in hope of a blessing. There’s no embarrassment, just simple, trusting honesty. The child asks for a “benison” (a blessing) to fall on the food and on everyone gathered. That one word, slightly old-fashioned, shows how seriously the child takes this moment, even while the cold-frog detail keeps it earthy and real. The whole poem feels intimate and unpolished, like catching a family at the dinner table just before they eat. The mood is tender, reverent, and gently playful: a glimpse of faith as a child lives it, with nothing forced or sentimental. The “Amen” lands softly, as if the child knows exactly where the prayer belongs.