Thanks for Nothing, While It Lasts

Pray, what is the meaning
Of this, that you should pray,
That we should say your prayers?

You’re all horizontal
For the most part, bipeds
Or not, but you look up,

To each other, mostly
Figuratively, and
To the distant blue,

More distant moon, much,
Much more distant other
Lights, far beyond where up

Or down makes any sense,
And you remain polite.
As good social creatures,

You humbly approach night
To pray, prithee, what is
The meaning of all this?

And the night says nothing,
And you say, thank you, thanks
To us, small thanks to you.