LOSS
by Ralph Pitman

How much is acceptable
                                                           loss?

A razor between the ribs
           separates the sacred chamber
           like lips in prayer.

The breath shudders
           at the memory of abandonment
           at far less merciful hands.

On the floor of my car
           Ram Dass convenes his surrogate tribe
           dusty circles of puppies
           nosing for warm milk
           counting lotus petals

in his Marin County hot tub.

Awaken
                                                           Awaken not

Collaterally damaged children
           all caught in the spirit web.

Six hours from Kuwait to Baghdad
           as the bomber flies;
           time enough for a cigarette
           and a glass of strong tea.

 

The Rev. Ralph Pitman is rector of Grace Episcopal Church in Willoughby, Ohio and associate director of Support To At Risk Teens (START) in Cleveland, Ohio. He may be reached by email at rpitman@lmmyouth.org