As I Teach Aisha

Thoughtful introspection,
Serious consideration,
Blossoming faith:
She is four years old,
But her eyes speak of eons of experience.
In showing her the simplest truth
I am teaching myself.

1997

The Evidence

There are the facets of love:
     The gleam of memory
     On centenarian's face
     Two become one
     The hand of a baby
     Adoration of a child
     The quiet answer
     Shared work, joy and sorrow
     Friendship
And the living Earth:
     Creeping, crumbling fertility
     Begetting infinite variety
     And nourishment for all
     A moonlit orchard
     Softly twittered birds' greetings
     The light of dawn
     Gliding over the mountain
     And the dewy stillness that precedes it
     Quiet water, roaring surf
     Melting snow, gentle rain
     Echoing, cleansing on a roof of tin
     Shimmering ripples of wind on grass
     Wide canyons, deep with secrets
     From antiquity.
God loves.
God knows.

1996