DIVINE SERVICES, MADISON SQUARE PARK

6/2/86  rev. 3/27/14

I’m not sure why a tree

moved gently by a breeze

soothes the soul,

but it does.

It speaks to the deeper places

and calms the inner swells.

If you can tell me why those sunrays

piercing through sycamore leaves

and landing on my face,

lower my shoulders

and cause me to breathe more deeply,

you’ll be the first.

After greenhouse heat, that cool breeze

wafting through the park

has one-legged pigeons dancing

and spent pilgrims like me

sitting in silence,

watching the buildings ‘with our ears’,

hearing the traffic ‘with our eyes’.