It’s like graphite
or lead or
a smudge and 
a smidge more 
like something erasable 
maybe a mistake 
or an error 
it’s like that 
being temporary and 
a placeholder and 
a seat filler
a plus one 
always the spare
the second but
never the first 

I offer nothing 
for in return 
I expect nothing 
love aren’t scales 
tipping one way 
and then another 
empty pockets is
what I offer 
filled with you 

Is life not 
about anything else 
than making memories 
some say money 
nay for money 
can’t buy happiness 
oh but memories 
pay their dividends 

Being one with 
whatever one’s doing 
being absent and 
absolutely free to 
be one with 
the removal of 
chatter and noise 
free from static
and from doubt 
not knowing anything 
beyond what is 
just being one 
this no mind
makes me feel 
no more important 
than each wave 
as it laps
against the shore 

Such a waste 
chasing the back
end of cars
like some dog 
hoping to go 
who finally stops
at the gate 
let them go 
I now say 
let them find
because obviously what
they found in 
me they didn’t 
want bad enough