life is no movie
there’s no Hollywood ending
on your silver screen
just dead flowers, stale candy
a walk in deserted parks

this lifetime
a summer a fall
a winter a spring
let it come
sights worth seeing
this time around
again

not that
at least
not always
but then again
sometimes
it does come
to that

when all else fails
there’s always life
coming along to surprise you
it could be some gesture
a spoken word, or two
perhaps the touch of a friend
or someone not so friendly
a flood in the neighborhood
power shortages
a voice from the heavens
or someplace further south
or perhaps someone seen
in a different light
you know, something you didn’t expect
good or bad or indifferent
but you’re stopped short
breath held
there on the precipice
whatever balance you thought you achieved
is now called into question
go or stay
throw all caution to the proverbial winds
this business called life
suddenly changes
and whatever rules applied before
no longer matter
it is a new day
or maybe evening
and all you have are what’s left of your wits
so saddle up, partner
whatever it is
it’s begun

the things we carry
are the things
that won’t let go