Another morning and I wake with thirst
for the goodness I do not have. I walk
out to the pond and all the way God has
given us such beautiful lessons. Oh Lord,
I was never a quick scholar but sulked
and hunched over my books past the
hour and the bell; grant me, in your
mercy, a little more time. Love for the
earth and love for you are having such a
long conversation in my heart. Who
knows what will finally happen or
where I will be sent, yet already I have
given a great many things away, expect-
ing to be told to pack nothing, except the
prayers which, with this thirst, I am
slowly learning.
thank you, a, for giving me this book of poems. as i continue to read this one poem over and over, i realize how lost in my own self i have become. then i realize maybe i’ve always really been that way. i, too, have this unexplained thirst for something i cannot define but maybe it’s because that thing is so incredibly simple that it hurts to even admit it. why do i search so hard for the “beautiful lessons” that are right there in front of me? is it impossible to make progress without clearing the most obvious of obstacles or can i set those aside to focus on focusing? if i am choking it is only because the hands around my neck are my very own.
this one’s my favorite too.