I don’t pretend 
those old days 
are now gone 
present and truth
are all that’s 
left after the 
layers of paint 
and varnish have 
all been removed 
just bare wood 
a knotty pine 
soft and lined

Get it in
get it out 
get it done 
which is why 
I loved early 
so that now
I can remember 
without feeling guilty 
love is housework 

None left
but me
looking around 
where’d they 
all go
the same 
feeling turned 
to trope 
whereas before 
it was 
troublesome this 
notion now 
of being 
the last 
brings with 
it a
certain comfort 
for lonely 
can only 
wail when 
others might 
be able 
to hear 

Far more 
frogs turned 
into princes
when kissed
by lips
belonging to 
those whose 
eyes could 
see beyond 
warts and 
lily pads

I remember when 
most and more 
always meant better 
but now some 
and enough do 
just as well 
it’s not scarcity 
living like this 
but prosperity wrapped 
in blessings blanket 
and tied with 
ribbons of gratitude