Incense

One fair ribbon of smoke
issued forth, in front the suns proud rays
and tumbled o'r the cold stone floor
spiraling it split till there was a cord
a flowing hanging mess of strands
finding the rays of sun
curling around each other and the room
till everything hung with their haze
yet still the strands issued forth
one un-ending gathering length
an un-broken mess hanging about
under which the prayers of old men are spoke
hard knee on cold hard floor
smoke clouding minds and vision

Outside in the world there are birds singing
children play in the bright faced sun
gardens grow leaf and bud
wind plays in the fields and among the clouds

Inside the prayers gather like the smoke
a long unwinding ribbon of word and thought
drunk on smoke, mouths call out unbidden
yells and bodies thrown to the floor
the smoke color changes from grey and blue
the suns playful rays work across the floor
slowly the last bit of smoke spirals upwards
old heads lift, tears stained cheeks wiped
there is long sighs and creaking knees
the wind comes in playfully and destroys the smoke
the cloud is quickly dispersed
minds clear, thoughts sharpen.

The ashes are swept up and spread
the wind takes them up to heaven
and the prayers and tears with them go
together the old men stager out
see the sun and feel the wind
hear the sound of laughter
together they smile
the pray ribbon is broken
the life ribbon continues