Stones and Bones

Through a neighborhood

called Chicken Stone

barking dogs, protecting homes

shy critters

like donkeys, goats and sheep

a van zooming through selling muffins

with a beep beep beep

Mary’s little lamb was there

“maawing” for its mom

my friend lifted her over a barbed-wire fence

helping maintain their calm

“Have a blessed day.”

floated a gentle tone

from a gentleman digging

in his garden home

who made it known

in the Chicken Stone

rolling hills

up and down

lichen-dappled stacking stones

elegantly snaking

a pathway home

I imagine

ancient ones

ancient bones

gathered, balanced

and stacked the stones

stacked their knowledge

stacked their belief

helped to manage

pain and grief

stones and bones

picking up the fallen

and gently placing

upon the wall

a daily ritual

and remembrance

in honoring all

a gesture in giving back

to stones

and their bones

rough hands

strong backs

inner power

reflected

in the stacks

honoring ancestors

honoring homes

with wisdom written in

stones

and bones