What book did you read,

not understanding the rules of engagement

Bringing around no sound of  love.

*

You try to play by the book

thinking you know the answers

basing life on a grade.

Not understanding you failed.

*

You play by the book

with an expectation of staid plot

Not understanding

You could not comprehend

a simple thought.

*

You play the book

over and over when

nothing follows your script.

Not understanding

the story line died.

*

You play

Not understanding,

You ended up alone

With your game.

*

 

 

“I am only one,

 but still I am one.

I cannot do everything,

but still I can do something;

and because I cannot do everything,

I will not refuse to do something that I can do.”

Edward Everett Hale

I am 55

and I was shocked

when my mother’s hand

came out of my coat sleeve

I knew it would happen but

I just thought it was farther away.

I am 55

and I wish for flowers

for my birthday

a dinner with my kids

and no one asking

“What do you want for your birthday?”

I knew it would happen

I just thought it would happen sooner.

I am 55

and I wear what I want

and let my kids make fun of me

knowing that some day

their kids will make fun of them

I knew it would happen

I just thought I would be done by now.

I am 55

and don’t have much time left on this earth

so I must say what will help

do what is needed

try to make a difference

I knew it would happen

I just thought it wouldn’t take so long.

Someday,

perhaps will be a conversation.

A dialog of sorts, a sharing

of ideas and concepts to try

and wrap around a mental

challenge of expansion,

exploding truths and half

truths to wrap around a thought

to share and shape.

 

Someday,

I will not miss so much the

Ideas bantered back and forth

seemingly fraught with newness

and oldness wrapped

like a blanket of soundness.

 

Someday,

I hope to share.

I hope to receive.

I hope emptiness will leave,

and I will finally have room

so that light can enter.

 

For now, there is nothing.