Sifting Sand As Meditation Poem by Justine Camacho Tajonera

A laborer's work
is simple
and clear.
I sift the sand
through a
screen,
swinging the
screen
backward and
forward
until all that
are left are
pebbles and
stones.
With a strong
heave, I watch
the pebbles
and stones
fly
from the screen
and land
in a heap.
I do this
hundreds of
times,
my bare hands
gripping the wooden
frame of
the screen.
I do this until
there is nothing
in my mind
but sand, pebbles,
stone
and flight.
I do this until
there is no difference
between labor
and
prayer.

(Sept.8,2009
Bgy. Pinagbuhatan Habitat for Humanity Build)