Surprise

walking an old road
my feet make familiar trips
the joke is on me,

in a rivers bend
a salmon treads the water
then swims for heaven,

in a clouds country
a swallow blows from Africa
in love with the cold,

opening my front door
my pet satan breaks free
then offers me bones,

ancient and modern
my hymns are always hers,
yet only you surprise me.


John G.Hall(C)2005