Buxton Shippy (7-27-55 / Montego Bay, Jamaica)

I can still hear the humming birds
That filled my youthful years with laughter
Even when confined in the belly of flesh,
Tunes from the humming birds
Brought me bliss.

With all the complexities of life:
Highs and lows,
Fear and tears,
Their melodies give me hope;
Even in a world fixed on killing.

Inspire me to move from life to life
Like you move from tree to tree,
Not counting blistered years;
Give me a song accompanied
By morning dew-drops
In my golden days.

Let me muse on your wonder
As I write these liturgies of redemption:
The babies' milk for tomorrow.