MORNING MINYAN

A quorum of small black birds
has settled on the tree outside my window:
ten of them, enough to pray
the most sacred prayers.
Whom do they beseech,
for what do they pray
with their too-toos and dea-dee-dees.
Do they ask for grace?
Cannot be. They already have it.
Do they seek forgiveness? For what?
They cannot help but do what birds do.
Do they need healing?
Perhaps one of them has broken a wing?
Or are they singing the praises of the Creator?
Of the creation?
Of the many ilks and varieties of birds?

I would like to stay and find out
but I have no time this morning.
No time no time no time no time chants my species.

Dit-dit-dit, dit-dit-dit, dit-dit-dit-dit
cry the birds as they fly away.

--Marcia Falk

Plate from Berkeley Poetry Walk

More details can be found here Click for the item in The ultimate street signs site