The mother robin
that sits
on her nest day and
nightin the holly tree beneath
our window has gotten used
to our standing and watching.
We suppose she
supposes
we are adversities
to be bornelike the relentless April wind and rains
she endures with stubborn equanimity.
What she cannot know
is that
we silently wish her
well,admire her steadfast sitting
like hapless gods who witness
from on high and can not intervene
as fire and floods and fevers
devastate the innocent.
I love the way you combine observation of nature with theology. Your choice of omnibenevolence over omnipotence is the only bearable choice, isn't it? This is one of my favorite poems.
ReplyDelete"Omnibenevolence" -- that's a new one. Is it a Bicksler creation? I like it. Do you know the old conundrum: "If God is God, He is not good. If God is good, He is not God"
ReplyDelete