Majestic Icon

I love to stand in the graveyard,

underneath the hanging branches

of the old palm tree –

its: broad arms sheltering

headstones that inform –

of lives that are now at peace.

At funerals,I hide from showers

under the sprawling limbs

of this majestic icon –

where earth is dry, protected

from hailstones and hot sun: below

this sacred tree tranquility reigns.