There you are,
Rearend Charlie yet again.
Won’t you ever learn?
You didn’t even
get out of the starting blocks
before the race
was long since gone.
And those stops
along the way.
What am
I to do with you?
How can I continue
to mentor a sure loser?
Don’t you see
the gold and silver
at the finish line?
You will never stand
on that podium
and hear the cheering crowd
if you don’t get
squared away right soon!
I have heard you,
my mentor.
I know I should
run faster and try harder
for all love the shine of gold
and the warm cheer of supporters.
I heard the gun go off
and was about to start
when I noticed
the fluttering butterfly.
The eager runner
in next starting blocks
sported the same colors.
Did that make
the butterfly a striver also?
What do the colors mean?
At the watering stop,
I talked to the giver
of the refreshing water
about the source
of his great gift.
I learned the exact spot
and trace minerals
it contains.
I forgot about the race
for I also saw
a free hawk soaring .
Its grace and beauty
kept my eyes
in the sky
instead of the finishing line.
Each puffy clouds
was gathered
and petted as a warm kitten.
I was alone back there.
I was alone,
but not lonely .
I was last,
but sometimes nice guys get
the pleasure of finishing last.
My gold is a sunset,
the reflecting pool my silver.
I suppose I could win the race
if I but wanted
to be something other
than to be alone
in my platinum world.
DLM
December 2006