See this speck of dust?
 
That’s how long it’s been, my child,
 
since the mountain fell.

 

 
 
 

Where do stones come from?
 
How did the crow get its voice?
 
Why do you ask, child?

 
 
 

Japanese garden—
 
a child drops one smooth pebble
 
into the koi pond.

 
 
 

Summer afternoon—
 
one stray leaf on a park bench
 
delights a young child.

 
 
 

Autumn afternoon—
 
more leaves than a child can count
 
drop from the maple.

 
 
 

child’s love offering—
 
a drooping dandelion
 
in a sippy cup

 
 
 

Super Bowl Sunday—
 
in an almost empty store
 
a child smiles at me.

Flyway

 
 
 

Early December—
 
the flyway fills with more geese
 
than a child can count.

Drawing

 
 
 

In a child’s drawing
 
St. Francis and a sparrow
 
share a crust of bread.

Smile

 
 
 

In a great city
 
where no one speaks my language,
 
a child smiles at me.