Plain
But  warm-hearted to the core
I’m telling you
My palms will grow trees
Eventually

Smiling
In a self-mocking way
I’m telling you
Hope is raising off
the earth
like heat off
sun-baked
pavement

Up and up and
Up

Peering
Up from the tree house
You still might squint your eyes in disbelief
But I’m telling you
Life is a gift
strong as a ship
of steel
and has just knocked me of my
feet.
How lovely
this defeat.