#533. Kyrie…

Because we cannot be clever and honest
and are inventors of things more intricate
than the snowflake – Lord have mercy.

Because we are full of pride
in our humility, and because we believe
in our disbelief – Lord have mercy.

Because we will protect ourselves
from ourselves to the point
of destroying ourselves – Lord have mercy.

And because on the slope to perfection,
when we should be half-way up,
we are half-way down – Lord have mercy.

R.S. Thomas

• Thomas, R.S., 2004: Mass for hard times I: Collected later poems 1988-2000. Highgreen: Bloodaxe Books Ltd. S.135. (”Mass for hard times” utg. 1992)