Lost and Found

I lost my first faith
somewhere in the pew,
between the pages
of commandments

between the souls
of the redeemed
and all the others
with no hope
of getting in.

I lost my first faith
somewhere in the pew,
and found another
in the April yard

the polished curls
of almost-leaves
along a bending branch

the scent of earth and rain
and purple in the air.

I lost my first faith
somewhere in the pew,
and found another
in whatever took my hand

unlatched the gate
for any stray
or wanderer

the one-eyed dog,
the scrawny, matted cat

the fallen robin’s egg
that I would tend for weeks

keep in a nest of socks
beneath my bed,
and sing to in the night

the quiet hymn
about the morning
and the first bird.

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