Stone Father

Sion Prior

Sion Prior

You have a father
I have a stone.
 
I'm not going to tell you
what my stone looks like
whether it's smooth or rough
whether it's shaped like a man
because I'm tired, and it's getting late.
 
God gave you a dad
he gave me a stone.
 
but I'm determined 
to find a use for my stone
a suitable function. 
 
I'm determined to appreciate 
its shape, its size, its weight, 
its solid, unchanging nature
like a distant mountain vista
the sun is setting behind it now.
 
I will work
to find peace
in this rock garden
before it gets too dark.

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