I stood by a huge tree which was draped in ivy.
I leant against the tree -
[like the monks lean against the wall in choir].
I tried to understand but you reminded me:
don't try, you said
so that you could lead me to a place where I couldn't.
[I find that place hard to bear!]

your hand in mine,
briefly?
my eyes shut.
shut your eyes, you said.
you used a key to unlock.
[I saw the lock]

or was it to lock?

because part of me was bound and gagged.
bound and gagged!
and yet I was wild, but with you.
we were in wilderness.
together.
I knew nothing, understood nothing,
failed and miserable,
you held me and led me
and my hand was in yours. . . . .

I worked on at my prayer.
the work is the joy no?