mawla

I kneel
an old man, in the vineyard
before the sweet red grapes
pulling them off
eating, & passing them back
to the hand above my shoulder

my Master
& leader, I know
but who is this figure
in shadow, the youth
at his side
who I have not acknowledged?

I was puzzled
at this one, seeing two
and, the shame, thought a while
before realising

you were there
and I had not recognised you at all.

* * *

(c) Winter 2006,

from an event much earlier