To pray is to pay attention to something or someone other than oneself.
I will love you forever" swears the poet. I find this easy to swear too. "I will love you at 4:15 pm next Tuesday" - Is that still as easy?
Criticism should be a casual conversation.
Out on the lawn I lie in bed, Vega conspicuous overhead.
God may reduce you on Judgment Day to tears of shame, reciting by heart the poems you would have written, had your life been good.
It takes little talent to see what lies under one's nose, a good deal to know in what direction to point that organ.