LUMBER HARD

How can this stocky mass of pink tissue,
matted failing hair and salty seashell bone
from ancient inland oceans be fundamentally
composed of so-called spirit-light
and universal energy

when it lifts its creaturely self each new dawn
in heavy glacial time from a dreaming bed

lumbers its wayward body achingly across
the wooden floor like a lone arthritic rhinoceros
with bleared and blurry eyes

and earthen cave deep mouth seared dry as Kalahari
winds simply to sniff and search for a private safe
secluded place to piss in blessed peace?