writers i like

annie dillard inspires me. mike riddell inspires me. leunig inspires me. they all make me think about god in new and surprising ways. i like manhole covers (and alleyways). leunig wrote a little prayer that i think of every time i see a manhole cover. it goes like this:
god bless the lone tunnellers; those rare individuals whose joy and passion it is to dig mysterious tunnells beneath the earth; who share the soulful purpose of moles and worms; who labour gleefully beneath our feet while we bask in the sun or gaze at the stars; whose pockets and cuffs are full of soil; who dig faithfully in the darkness, turning left and turning right; not knowing why or where but absorbed and fulfilled nevertheless. Under houses; under roads and statues; beneath and amongst the roots of trees; on elbows and knees; carefully, steadily pawing at their beloved earth; sniffing and savouring the rich odour of the dirt; dreaming and delighting in the blackness; onwards and onwards, not knowing day or night; unsung, anadorned, unassuming, unrestrained. Grimy fingernailed angels of the underworld; we praise them and give thanks for their constant, unseen presence in the vast labyrinth they have created beneath our existence. We praise them and give thanks. AMEN.