Jagers

Rub raw the soul

            with the inward eye,

                        for the peace of contrition

                                    is the province of the cruel.

Closeness to the earth

            is to be valued more highly

                        than the meditatio, more highly

than the noche oscuro, and

            the gift of vision.

Do you know the feel

            of sweat in the winter,

                        or the shallow breaths?

                                    Weary the shoulders

                        and sore the foot—

            there is a peace in failure.

                       

Honors due to Bruegel,

            the master, who put oil

on wood and fire in the eye.