Blackberries no longer cling
To the vine where used to sing
The mocking bird with plumage gray
As I sat while thoughts would play
With those of Thomas Merton.

The berries are gone, the bird is too
Though the air's still warm and the sky is blue
But I still sit and feel the power
Of the watchman in the tower
Who was this Thomas Merton.

The vine still lives and lets me know
That soon again the fruit will grow
And I am sure too will the bird
To mingle song with every word
Of those from me and Thomas Merton.

And so the question, what's left to hold
As another ending does unfold
With memories mirrored in our face
Another start, a new disgrace
And the words of Thomas Merton.

~Michael Bahm~

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