a lament

the forest is coming down
the tired monk hears
 the trees fall
cut, split, corded
carted off
chainsaws steaming
in the cold front air

a monk's duty

the tired monk
turns off the news
takes up his rake
gathers wet leaves
ponders and prays
for the world

the tired monk prays for you

no monastery bell rings
calling for this prayer
just a prompting
 pulling
this oh so tired monk
from sleep
to thoughts and words
of blessing for you


the tired monk