Thou shalt let the leaves of the aspen slip
through thy glancing like small
coins. Thou shalt behold a forest so
beautiful that thy desire to paint
it shall become four pieces of wood gathering
dust in thy garage.
Thou shalt become a termite
in the house of God. Thou shalt deny
also. Thou shalt become old and slow
as the speed limit in Sheboygan.
Thou shalt live to see Good Friday
fall on April Fool's Day. Thou
shalt cross thy t's
with thy silent fingers in prayer.
But finally, thou shalt sing out of joy
and tune, and like thy cat's
navel, disappear wholly
from the sight of men.