hapless devotee,  
willing to sacrifice bread crumbs  
for a taste of mercy  
from some Body you’ll never meet.  

you remain on your knees,  
despite the digging of the roots  
of the tree you cry beneath.  

the pebbles make you bleed
there’s lacerations under your sleeves
you're wailing at your incapability

say, pitiful creature,  
why are you still
on your knees?