redwood alter

The shelves well waxed to shine as sunbeams
Grace the presence of this once proud tree
The hands of man made this fine piece of furniture
A greater hand’s design came first, stood tall
Take a breath and understand the roots of truth
The case ornate, well crafted to the human eye
Little etchings of grand impression, subtle
As glimmers in the sand by the shore

I sit in this chair and view my knowledge
Upon the well waxed shelves it rests
Rows beside rows and lines on top of lines
Often I have dabbed my sponge-like mind upon each page
Absorbing the moist knowledge within each syllable
Quenching the thirst and keeping at bay the drought

There will come a time when the wax loses it luster
The etchings shall be covered in a lingering dust
A curvature will bow the shelves, under
The weight of knowledge long since passed
Sturdy in its day, now listing to one side
While the shelves remain, now empty
Once well waxed to shine as sunbeams







-j.g.smith (04/29/08)