After years and years
Of walking the fence
Of my long life
I have finally arrived
At the gate a
Creaky old thing that
Barely hangs upon its
Own hinges that moans
When it is opened
And growls when closed
Whomever thought that putting
The gate over here
And not back yonder
Either was wickedly humorous
Or knew better for
This gate I found
Eventually found was me
Every single beginning starts
With and end of
Some kind avoiding the
End never solves anything
Ends aren’t the problem
Getting there isn’t either
What seems to be
The problem for most
Is accepting the end
You simply cannot avoid
Inevitability it’s part of
The process of life
Such as a bird
Which soars to Heaven
Knows it must eventually
Land in order to fly
The day starts bright
Sunshine skitters through blinds
Coffees aroma rises wafts
Heart fresh from sleeping
Hopes that at last
Today I can push
Aside the cloudy fear
And indecision granting me
Some relief from pain
And perhaps new love
From a new stranger
I’ve yet to meet
My admission of failure
And my subsequent retreat
Marks my new beginning
And not my loss
In love and war
No battles are won
Casualties are often many
And at some point
It’s best to admit
My friend or foe
We have done enough
Damage to each other
It’s time to heal
One of my favorite
Things is to watch
The rain pass me
Having just cleansed me
Of the sooty grime
Of life it carries
On moving like brushes
In the car wash
Removing miles and miles
Carrying on like the
Tears of God Himself
HARLAN DIDRICKSON 