THE TRYING

i am halfway through
every great book
on spirituality.

to summarize:

be kind.
and breathe.

take refuge.
now release.

have faith.
and endure.

you will never
be sure.

say prayers and
don't lie.

find peace be-
fore you die.

these platitudes drown
out the persistence
of this dying; i may

never finish these books,
but i'll settle
down to the trying.