I debated
going for a walk,
tonight,
and finally decided
to do it,
so, at two o'clock
in the morning,
I went outside,
and it was cold.
The first thing
that struck me
as I walked out
of the door,
was a memory
or a group
of memories,
of being a fearless,
reckless, drunk
young person,
who was out
at this time
many times before,
and I even could seem
to smell his alcohol.
But, there was no guilt
or shame,
it was a sweet memory.
And I remembered,
the words
of a Zen master,
who said
that the past, present,
and future
are all here
in the present moment,
so I thought
of the future,
and my back straightened
a little,
and I warmed up
a little,
so I thought
maybe the future
will be better
than we think.