Latent lillies, ducks, 
seagulls, breeze-teased ripples, frogs -
       all sharing the pond.

Bare branches waving,
leaves tumbling across the lawn -
       spring breezes blowing.

 Dear God,

in the dark valleys and in pleasant pastures

it is reassuring to have a shepherd,

 someone who knows the landscape, 

 someone who has been here before,

 someone who knows where to find food and drink,

 someone to look after me, 

 someone who knows where to go as evening falls.

Thank you for being that someone. 

 

The Good Shepherd, Dupre, Julien, 1851-1910

 Carrot, onion, peas,
red pepper, garlic, 5 spice -
       fry and put on rice!

I guess there was celery too.

 Across lawns, bushes, 
up a tree, around, and down -
        Squirrels playing tag!

Sunshine and sixty,

maybe even seventy.

        Too warm? Too early? 

 Sink one inch, two, six,

one step after another -

      walking in to camp!

 

Sinking in the snow, that is!