what makes me a rich man

trees of gold

within walking distance

a sky

whose show

never twice

the same

friends

stopping by or

triangulating

for position

priority of

patience and forgiveness

darker days and

inner lights

closeness to aging, sickness and death

feeling grief and disappointment

generosity

humbling of parenthood

honoring ancestors

refusing to make

same mistakes

listening

sleeping apart

from a lover

and still loving

Solace

yes

it would be lovely

to hold the wren

for a moment

feel the softness of its wings

the staccato of its heart

But it is better

it sings

yonder.

Stay

why are you rushing

always rushing

like some panic struck

wind

searching across

a forgotten lake?

lay down on that

chilling white ice

under the blinding

winter sun

let the wind pass

cry until the ice

surrenders

until you remember

the warm sea

until your destination

is where you are.