on awakening

our shattered table top.





Just when you give up
the whole process
begins again

and you are as pure
as if you had confessed
and received absolution.

You have done nothing
to deserve it, you have merely slept

and got up again,
feeling fine
because the morning is fine;

sufficient reason surely
for faith in a process
that can perform such miracles

without assistance from you.
Imagine what it would do
with a little assistance from you!

--Nissim Ezekiel (1924 -2004)