Like morning, wisdom comes

       by increment.

First silence and aware-

       ness of darkness.

Lesser stars despair, dim

       and glimmer out.

A brooding bird, stirring

       in nests of sleep,

awakes and calls out one

       sharp, clear, cold note.

Little by little, song

       trickles through sky.

Dawn dances by degrees

       on darkling plain.

Earth offers up fragrance

       like morning prayer,

       and there is light,

       piercingly bright,

to warm a weary world.