Whyever did I think?

For Martin and me and you, heck, all of you.

Whyever did I think

There would come a time

When the participation in,

The organization of,

Prayer vigils

Would come to an end?

It remains

In the same category

As the final obtaining

Of some sort of licensure

From some body of people

So I could prove to them

Every two or three years

I was still worthy

To pile letters

After my name.

Whyever did I think

I would see this time,

This halcyon

Dreamed about,

Prayed about

Time;

This time when the lion

Would lie down

With the lamb;

When the licensed

Might see the unlicensed

As having something of worth

To offer?

Whyever did I think

I might pray such limits

Away;

We might walk

Nay

We might skip together

In newly mown fields

Like children,

Look up at the sun

And know,

Simply know,

All of us know

It is good.