Hymn
A muskrat
carves verses on the pond
each morning at ten
tears hyacinth, flag iris
pickerel mouthfuls
uproots the lily pads
but I admire
her tail
the oily needle
quivers north
as she paddles industriously
south
and how she sparkles
then dissolves
in mud clouds
underwater or
spotting me
goes motionless
as those
first floating moments
prayer is over