Old Folks at Home
There is much to be said
about the great comforts of being home.
You can find light switches in the dark,
make it to the bathroom in time,
know where the dishes and utensils are,
and when to feed the cat and water the yard.
There is great comfort in a bed
slept in for many years,
a newspaper that is there by six,
and surrounding books and music.
But an invitation for adventure
hits like the warm glow of good scotch
as soon as the phone is down.
But then as the vision of the future
moves from dream to plan,
and the competencies and accommodations list
comes out from under the bed,
will I be able to buy my tickets
and order a boarding pass?
And how about getting to the airport
and through security
when I have to take my shoes off?
What do I do if there is no one to meet me?
Will there be a clerk
who can tell me where to stand?
Can I be sure of an aisle seat
so I can get to the john?
Can I walk down the aisle
when the plane is moving?
The warming scotch-feeling
now burns in my belly.
The old-age doubts will fuel my concerns
all the way to the adventure and back.
There will be days when
the anticipation of failure
will cause me to wish
I could just stay home
and be comfortable.
Some do sit in the cocoon of home-base.
Going is just too much risk.
But the challenge of competency and accommodation
has to be met.
Trying is essential,
for adventures make for learning;
and learning is life-fuel.
Doug Minnis
March 22 ,2010