oars dip inta tha worldskin surface o tha lake / one o them clear warmjoy days a summer / aye / precious few round here / air still / an voice fall deaden echoless / but rhythm of oars hold them placed conversationless / seven men in a long narrow boat / monks / rough brown habits / knotted cord around yer waist / hair halo cropped / six row / seventh at tiller / his eyes are mine / you among the oarsmen / repeatedly glances meet / brothers nod / here in this country hopefully out of way of war / out of way of warlike / local people cautious use our knowledge / the island is our refuge / boat glides as rowers pause / oars horizontal / dispensin drip-rings aft / whole day-moment as an illuminated picture / blueness / greeny / cool dark brown / lone heron / stiffly high silent wing-hermit / sound of easing amongst tha crew / I do idiot laugh infamous midst our limited circle / encouragement urges up from brothers / prayer-laugh fer mad god / aye we’s no normal monks / locals likes ta keep us / they knows ther luck / quiet / safe here on our island in a lake upon an island in a lake ad infinitum / im hungry / make for home