Trangental Reverse

Just suppose,
life was a collection of moments,
disjointed, juxtaposed
One, Sunset Grille,
first night down
you had planned
walk down Clearwater Beach
hand in hand
sunset on the gulf
from the veranda

Across the compass point
directionless poles
all is south, or north
curtains in the sky
irridescent, shimmering

CHAPTER 10:REDEMPTION

It's been a few months. Lisa is doing well. Some good days, some bad, mostly good. Gallery is doing well, opened a coffee shop in the basement, hired Bridget to manage the place, she's great.
Our status is routinely set; breakfast, paper, radio weather, kiss. I'll retire soon, my life will resovle to writing, and teaching, workshop above the carriage house. Permanence is illusive.
called her Friday, 3pm. "Lisa!", "Yeah, I'm kinda busy, what is it?" "Meet me at Tony's tonight,8:30, wear that dress." Heard her sigh through the phone, "Ok"
Arranged with Tony, our table in the corner, pulled in Bridget to control the chaos. Tony's cousin knew a trio; violin, accordion, and mandolin. I said sure, why not.
Lisa walks in, that dress clinging to every curve, a geometry only God could conceive. "How was your day?" "Busy" "Know Lisa, you need to slow down. It's like you're herding your life into a very narrow space. When did you last take some time to yourself, go to your studio, be creative?" She bowed her head in exhaustion and started to cry. I came around to her, lifted her chin, "What are you doing on the 19th?" "I don't know." "I do, you're getting married." "To whom?" "Who else?" "Did I ever say yes?" "Yeah, bout a year ago"
Then the parade begins. Bridget comes out of the kitchen with Tony and the troubadours, sits down next to Lisa with a calendar appointment book. Seamstress, a cousin of hers, hair dresser, UAW hall.
I slipped away into the parking lot, stars so crisp. Juanita comes out, takes my arm, "You know we love you". The tears flowed down.

REBIRTH

Feel like a Chilean miner
resurrected from the bowels of hell
Tea Parties and Terrorists
what will bring us from the brink

In 1976 at 25
America was 200
took off in search of the promised dream
found other wandering souls along the back door land

In 2001 I was 50
went looking again for what was lost and what would be

2026-I'll be 75
America will be 250
if either of us survive
Will Jefferson and Franklin and Washington and Madison or Adams show up?
Light a sparkler, twirl?
In the star spangled night