shepherds

Just sit there right now

Don’t do a thing.  Just rest

For your separation from God

Is the hardest work in this world.

Hafiz

_________________________________

dark of night they sat

shepherds

not so noble

not so wise

covered with dirt

and the oil of sheep

a little stinky if all were said

dark of night they sat

perhaps silent

perhaps filling the stony hill

with the sounds of ribald song

dark of night they sat

lowest of the low

with thoughts of God perhaps

or only with thoughts

of cold and hunger

and rejection

perhaps the stars shone

or a brilliant moon

perhaps

I have my doubts

that they were seeking God that night

but God was seeking them

and in that seeking

found

those who simply sat

and watched sheep

looked up in surprise and wonder

reached out dirty hands

and touched God