the movers came in today
told me to remove all my stuff
somebody else needed the space
I took down the paintings
placed on the wall so carefully
over the years
slowly at first
then angrily --
tossed them in a box
been in this room so long
it feels like a body
times change, and the seasons
bushes are getting green again
though the pine tree out back has lost its hue
strange how it goes with trees
the day the old bishop died
they chopped down his maple
on the street the stones are piled
in irregular heaps
the stones that the builder refused
stones now beginning to shine
gleaming like emeralds, ruby and topaz
gems in the city walls, perfect in beauty
you were in Eden once
and every precious stone adorned you
sapphire, onyx and jasper
on the street the stones are piled
in irregular heaps
the stones that the builder refused