Do the aftermath
Which is not just a state of mess
But the holy work of being there
Man's sacred neighborly vocation
So be the one to do it
And as you do
Show the work
Of how you got there
How you counted out the costs
Become an aftermathematician
Wisened in the way of retrospect
And patient steady presence to a place
Be the one who sees things through
The seasons and their storms
Be the thing remaining loyally here
Strangely still and unaffected
Dig your feet deep into your local soil
Prepared to weather the wind's volitions
While breathing deep of other air
Unknown but wanted there
Be in a word a tree
Maintain a strange soul and familiar face
Planning in time to have seen
Beginnings and endings
Regrets and recollections
And to know the way things go
Having remained through to do
All the necessary blessing work
Of the aftermath