By Gabriel Welsch

July 13,1999

I.

Paul tells me this morning

he photographed God yesterday

because a donkey stopped him

one day on the Blue Ridge Highway,

clomped alongside the car,

and Paul pet his nose

before raising his camera

to just left of his own nose.

To Paul, this was God's way

of bringing him compassion

so he captured it in his own way.

It made for a good lesson.

II.

Paul told me last week

the black man who nods

at me from the side of the street

each day is sent by God.

It is meant to remind

me that God is still king

and in charge. I'm inclined

To think Paul has a thing

About God, and "thing"

is the best word to use:

a tangible noun, open,

solid enough to be loose.