We were walking in the monastery forest
And he passed us by
As the fragrant air caught us in the nostrils.
He turned and asked, "Have you got some?"
Then he offered us what he had in his hands
From his livelihood, with humble generosity.
It was the perfume he made from the pine sap
He drew from the healing trees.
The monk made this into fine perfumes
For regenerating human beings.
The strong pine sap lingered at his fingertip offering
As we said, "No, we haven't."
"I will get you some," he said.
No expectation of us, this monk of honey bees, nectar
Pine sap and healing ointments.
This monk of benediction in the monastery forest
Offered kindness, welcome, quiet gifts of himself.
This monk offered us his presence.
J Graser
Artist - John Singer Sargent
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