Only Finding

Only Finding

(“There was just enough for everyone. Those who gathered more had nothing left over and those who gathered little had no lack! Each home had just enough.” Exodus 16:18)

There is no hunting, there is only finding,
there is no searching, there is only gathering,
the elusive we seek is the want that demands tomorrow,
not today; next year, not this short radius of time.

There is no hoarding, there is only supply,
there is no hiding, there is only open sky,
the stockpiles we concrete and padlock
are fear’s sleight-of-hand, our fingers of
calloused. We think too much of the thorny
succulents to celebrate fresh today and today.

There is no tomorrow, no future, no long-range plan;
today is the habitation of earthly dwellings. The smile
I intend for tomorrow,
subtracts from the one you needed today.

There is sadness, there is laughter,
there is feasting, there is hunger;
we speak and only memory captures
the sounds into tomorrow.

We sing the songs our grandfathers taught,
today; they sound new. “Masters of War”
was Dylan through Pearl Jam and every Christmas
carol
is gospel harmony with electronica’s assistance.

There is feasting today, tomorrow more,
but today’s feast will not be tomorrow’s meal.
There is celebration, tomorrow new provision;
today we will sing while our ancient anxieties

(their constant hum)

Are brightened by love’s now and only,
a minute divided by 60,
a second split into infinity,
one breath begins, and ends,
behind us again.