tread lightly in case the willow
has not yet finished mourning.
Leave the hedges untrimmed
for a few more weeks, in case
the colonies of winged things
have not yet finished migrating.
Let the stone basin keep its ring
of verdigris: such faithfulness
is worth emulating. And let the dull
wool of evening cover the naked stones:
its old heart is rich with longing.
[LAG-other-response date=”09 21 2014″ url=”https://www.vianegativa.us/2014/09/schooling/” title=”Via Negativa: Schooling”]