Are you Stone?  Brother Stone?  May I have a word with you?
	Might I even be so bold as to have a seat
	with you and speak - ?
Oh, my!  Oh, dear!  How most uncharitable of me
	to sit directly on my host!
	My deep apologies!  Here, let me brush you off.
What?  No?  You really do not mind?
	Well, then, perhaps, if you're quite sure . . .
No, no!  How could I submit myself to such a thought!
	And I am here to speak of charity myself.
	So let me settle to the side
	and speak more equally.
You see, the church has asked for me to come.
	We haven't seen your face
	about the Sunday service for some time.
Well, yes, now that I'm here I see
	that you would not be easily removed.
	Perhaps we ought to add your name
	to the church's Shut-In list?
"Shut in", "shut out"; it's all the same
	to the church, Brother Stone.

What was that?  On charity?  Oh, yes, Brother Stone!
	I am here to speak of charity.
	You see, charity means love -
		unconditional, open, freely offered love,
		with no strings attached,
	floating in the air like a balloon!
Isn't that a lovely thought, Brother Stone?
	And so we wondered if you wouldn't make a gift
	to us, Brother Stone.
Yes, of course in money.  You can't pay the choirmaster
	in flint you know!
Oh, I am sorry!  I meant no offense
	to your relatives at all.
	I'm sure that they are all very sharp rocks indeed.
No money?  None at all?  I see that I was wrong to come.
	I will be up and going.
	I did not mean to put you on the spot . . .
	though, as you say, you've sat upon this spot
	for many years.
Stay longer?  Really I can't.  I shouldn't.
	I mean, we have already discussed our business.
	Yes.  Charity.  Yes.  But as you said,
	you aren't in a position to help with charity.
So I'll be off.  God bless you anyway.
	I must be about my work.  No, I can't delay.
	A rolling stone gathers no moss, as they say!
Oh, dear.  I am so terribly sorry.
	I really did not mean to give offense.
	I only meant that I must be moving.
	That is, I couldn't sit with you.
	I mean, I shouldn't sit at all.
	That is . . . Perhaps I should sit down for a moment.

Oh, my!  Oh, dear!  How most uncharitable of me
	to sit directly on my host!
	I must apologize again.  I am a dolt.
What?  No?  You're sure you do not mind?
	You would prefer?  Well, then, perhaps,
	for just a minute though, I'll sit.
The moss?  Yes, it is quite soft.
	It is very soft.
	Why, this moss is the very specimen of luxury!
	Why, I could sit upon your moss
	for ever and a day!  or thereabout.

It is most pleasant here with you.
	I wish I'd come before.
	Perhaps, if you don't mind, I'll come again.
Leave?  Now?  Oh, yes, you're right, of course.
	I must be off to speak of charity.
	Charity, you know, means love - 
		unconditional, open, freely offered love,
		with no strings attached,
	resting on the ground like a stone,
	Brother Stone.

probably 1984
June, 1999