Know Not Where or When
Now? Is it now?
No, not yet.
Is it soon?
Yes, it is soon.
How soon?
Throw away your calendars and watches
and inquire no further.
Let soon
be enough.
There is time to watch
the sun rise again
and then set into a bed of red clouds.
Plenty of time to listen
to the song of the hawk and jay.
The taste of good red wine
is yours still.
Turn on your jazz
and hear Satin Doll and
The Shadow of Your Smile.
Walk again in the arboretum
and wonder about
the source of such botanical diversity.
Drive through the green countryside
and see the contrasting yellow wild mustard.
And as you read of your friends
in the obits each night,
steal a glance at the birth announcements.
Rejoice for those who are arriving
and weep not too long
for those leaving.
Watch children play
and shout and
steal a bit of them.
When you wake
rejoice for the day’s task
and celebrate its completion
as you crawl in bed.
Yes, your clock is running down
but live in the present
as if it will last forever.
Let not one minute go to waste
by the counting of the dread.