saint's prayers

just a thread
 a thin one at that
a torn shred of hope:
thinking about the saints
praying over this one

i too offer up mine
a tiny offering
one robe
one bowl
one tired monk prayer

peace

canines

shih tzu, twin pomeranians,
and romping sheepdog paw prints
 scattered all over
 the de facto dog park

from deeper in the forest
  coyote tracks cut straight
  through the new snow

Whisk(e)y Nights

delicate highland single malt
swirling in Glencairn glass
rich flavour layers
touches of peat and oak
sweet Scotch warmth
measured
savoured

...other times
it's a generous pour
of Jamesons
in a kitchen juice glass

monk strength

sure there's the resolve
of early morning sacred duties
prayers for each of you saints

then there's the raw rooted
knotted deep farmer strength
days and days
of raking, chopping, laying
up garden wall stones
yeah monk muscles
under these robes

a monk's heart

early morning bells
 up quick
feet on the floor
like any zen monk or marine

prayers, scripture readings
"devos" we used to call 'em
basement workouts
sweat glistening on my shorn head
  driveway hoops

whole pots of coffee
sitting or walking with my temple dogs
maybe just standing in the woods for a spell
strumming open chords,
cold beer


night time fires
Irish whiskey in a Scottish glass
moving through the Beatles catalogue
sometimes unbidden Johnny Cash tears

   sure there's pills
   tucked down deep in a bottom drawer

but I'm "doing the work"
serving
speaking life
hopefully being excellent to each other
complaining less
even (thoughtfully) not giving a fuck

anything really
to keep my heart above water

tight

things are getting tight
roads widen, ditches deepened
trees cleared for new houses...
...mansions in this case

fox has to wander up close
skirt the edge of the monastery yard
edging his way home
through the remnant woods

a lunch time script

monks gathered
under spring flower boughs
eating a light lunch
   suddenly still

in a spell of time
chatter and discourse resumes

novice: "what was that?"

tired monk: "just an angel passing by"

n: "do you do the same with demons?"

tm: "nah...we ignore em...
         drives em crazy."


the tired monk