When yesterday morning
I was graced by
trees on my walk so lonely.
It is difficult to escape
the presence of presence
and to be lonely when one
has eyes to see
that these trees and
this moss and this
river are not just
acquaintances of poetic device
but are friends and
companions who neither
withhold nor withdraw,
but pour forth speech if one
has but ears to hear.
Oh, to be the one who
sees and hears
who knows these
branched companions.
Tomorrow morning I will walk
and wait and listen. And
though lonely I will know
that I stand among
a choir.