life finds a way
in the most inhospitable
conditions
places
times
to
survive
thrive
flourish
so too
can I
life finds a way
in the most inhospitable
conditions
places
times
to
survive
thrive
flourish
so too
can I
I lived my life
So very small
Now left to wonder
Shall I shuffle off
Before I ever roared
As so many others
Come and gone
Faintest whispers
On the wind
Recall the vibrance
Once displayed in many hues
Now no more than trace remains
Though brightness scattered
Here and there
Decay sets in
Drains true nature
Of its lifely due
Thus am I left
With naught but mem’ries
Fading fast
Remiss this guard
Of summer past
Which lingers still
In so few leaves
Fallen to the forest floor
There soon enough
Back to earth
Will they be drawn
And all that was
Will then be gone
For I bear not the past
Carry only hope, and my staff
Tenacity
To understand this
Is to master life
To master life
One must master death
Their darkest hour
To bed confined
For none the power
To stall the march of death’s decline
And so alone
Souls pass away
While not a hand
Is offered they
But latex glove
The touch at end of earthly stay
Their glory assured
Set against their own int’rests
Willing sacrifice
War’s wretched slaughter
For lambs sent into mayhem
Fear held in dead eyes
Remains laid to ground
With white crosses row on row
Power’s martyred souls
The wave peters out
Just before it reaches me
Its last energy spent
As bubbling foam dissipates
My muscles relax
Tension leaves my body
While the ocean recedes
Back down the beach
I turn over the paper again
Check the wording again
The test was negative
The test was negative
I’m going to live
Another wave comes
Stronger than the last
Soaking just one shoe
Which makes a delightful squish
As I stride back up to the house
Good tidings in hand