POETRY: Original Sin (A Memorial Anthem For Father’s Day), by Thomas Merton

Weep, weep, little day
For the Father of the lame
Experts are looking
For his name

Weep, weep little day
For your Father’s bone
All the expeditions
Dig him one.

He went on one leg
Or maybe four
Science (cautious)
Says “Two or more.”

Weep, weep little day
For his walking and talking
He walked on two syllables
Or maybe none

Weep little history
For the words he offended
One by one
Beating them grievously
With a shin bone.