THEODICY

The mother robin that sits

on her nest day and night
in the holly tree beneath
our window has gotten used
to our standing and watching.

We suppose she supposes

we are adversities to be borne
like 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.

GARDENER'S CONFESSION

In April the small wood behind
our house teems with Virginia bluebells.
Five years ago I planted three.
Multiplication followed. I claim
no credit for the the resulting
beauty and rightly so.

However, if you were to see it
and offer your congratulation
for the loveliness spread out
in front of you, I would probably nod
and smile and let you think
I was landscape artist, gardening genius
and Mother Nature all rolled into one.

JOB INTERVIEW

" And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks the swine did eat."
-- Luke 15:16

He was a mess when he showed up,
looked like he hadn't washed
for weeks. He smelled bad.
He said he'd do anything for a place
to sleep and something to eat.
Funny thing though, I could tell
he'd been raised proper, something
about the way he looked at me,
met my eye, held himself up straight.
I didn't ask. None of my business really.
I'd seen young fellows like him before,
fallen on hard times. Can happen
to anyone. I remember when I was
his age and I . . . but that's another
story, isn't it? Point is, I felt
kind of sorry for him. "Ain't got
much need for help right now,"
I told him. I pointed to the shed.
"But I could use someone to muck
out the stable and feed the pigs.
You interested?"