7.9

The earth convulses

Ancient temples

 modern buildings

not built to withstand the fury

Crumble.

Brick by stone

disintegrate

beyond imagination.

Mt. Everest

the world’s tallest mountain

rumbles

releasing avalanches.

Chaos

confusion

who is

buried?

The next day

Sitting at Evensong

in the beautiful seven decades old monastery

Near home,

I remember when the building was closed

for two years to clean and refurbish

Empty of chants and monks,

the first discovery

the foundation, the concrete floor

Built over peat, once riverbed earth

Breaking through

Roots, trunk size

Eight oak trees

Unseen, unknown.

The foundation compromised,

Leaking,

Poised to break through.

Just in time

A new foundation

Dug deep

Roots cut out

Trees cut down.

Everywhere we trust

buildings, the ground under our feet,

mountains

to be a foundation

To live.

Thoughts of my inner foundation

Become a litany.

How strong my inner foundation?

How can I

Strengthen

my own boards, bricks, stones,

My scaffolding?

My resilience?

To roll on the rollers that some buildings are

Built on

Where earthquakes Might come.

My inner core

Can I depend on

My stability,

Ability

To withstand the shakes and tumbles

Of life?

To be strong, not rigid

Flexible.

Roll with life

As it comes.