What happened?
Where did the year since
Last fall go?
Was it really a year ago?
I could write a trilogy
Of bricks on all
Its events. On
What was wasted,
Given, lost, paid.
What was earned or stolen.
What was spent.
I did good:
It all went.
A year so full of fire.
Of tragedy, drama, of
Laughter like thunder, love
Like lightning. Naked skin against
Ice crusted snow,
Naked skin against
Warmer, naked skin.
I remember
Screaming at the skies; my
Curses and whys,
Then resting my knees
On the same spot of
Forest floor, thanking
All gods for all things new,
And for all that I held before.
Nothing is ever lost.
Even loss is gain.
I wouldn't know the depth of
This bliss, if my life had
Been free from pain.
(I know it's a cliché.
But I'll use it again. And again.)
Hello, Birch Tree.
Nearly stripped, ready for snow.
Brother Pine Tree,
Still wearing your deep green
Porcupine Petals.
You both frame "Home" to me.
Autumn flu; fever like lava in
My veins and muscles.
I face away from the TV
-Towards the window facing north-
Fields and tree trunks
Sharing the same shade of
Soil.
Crimson Oak. Periwinkle sky.
Rainbow like water and oil.
Let these be the last things
I see before I die.
They witnessed my victories,
Failures too,
But never me merely "try".
It all boils down to attitude.
Inhaling all that
The winds may carry;
Exhaling mostly
Gratitude.
Everything,
Everywhere,
Is brand new.
Every single
Passing
Second.