hymn 1

tree stilled but branches repair you in a history of play
in the hall that day or cards • the call and i’m home
and you christen adore and christen • a name holds

fruit we will not always pick or a trunk felled to rise
a statue canopied by that bloomed twice for pie
tree then apples never in the yard glory scattered our cells

cease a shadow box our trinkets loyal • if we green
protect a shoulder, weathered mother may we die askew
five pounds, eleven • this will not always follow stumbling

steps sink rabbits under this storied house this
only joy and sorrow • you christen restore and christen we
river you sea, when i return weakened, quiver, you see