Why Me?

The lymph-nodes are clear, the cancer
has not metastasised; the cat –
absent without permission for several days –
presents himself in the kitchen; in the post
exam results exceed our expectations;
and the threat, whether of war, redundancy
or prosecution, is withdrawn. 
                                                The soul is eased;
the leper’s skin is clean.  
                                        And so we dare not ask 
‘Why me?’, unless we ask – otherwise –
‘Why not?’

The Cistercian monks at Pluscarden Abbey use the Benedicamus as an early morning wake-up call.

Included in Found Poems.