Offerings

It is vain for you to rise before the dawn
  and go late to your rest,
  eating the bread of toil –
to those he loves, the Lord gives sleep.

                                                                     Psalm 126 

                                                                   the magnolia
                                                                   are offering
                                                                   themselves
                                                                   again
                                                                   against
                                                                   the air
                                                                   turning
                                                                   to frost

                                                                   they open
                                                                   without ambition
                                                                   the pale
                                                                   prayers
                                                                   of their
                                                                   loveliness

                                                                   cupping the current 
                                                                   of light
                                                                   and warmth 
                                                                   that falls on all
                                                                   the same
                                                                   like love
                                                                   from our Lord

                                                                   no matter
                                                                   the kinds 
                                                                   of hands
                                                                   un-opening
                                                                   or the ones
                                                                   receiving

                                                                   before the great sleep
                                                                   descending