Green Room

 

It’s after nine o’clock

Not in a bar with smoky music

But in the morning

And I’ve barely slept

I hear when we age, we don’t need

So much

But that is not an anodyne for me

 

What is it that keeps us going

What is it that gives us pause for rest

Then takes that peace away

Pain and guilt

I can guess other things

Or is it that

During the day, there wasn’t enough running

Playing tag

Kicking the can

Hiding or seeking

 

Children can wear themselves out

I used to take part in that

I never thought about expenditure of energy

I wasn’t winded

The greater fear was being bored

And I wasn’t

 

But for all the contradictions

For the paradox that grown-up rest is cardinal

When grown-up style renders everything

Self-conscious

With affronts to dignity

All around

 

We reserve our steps

Then start to count them

We want to measure everything

In that is prognosis

For a life of balance

 

Well, I’ll try again tonight

Maybe earlier

Maybe without a marker

About how much time is good

 

Maybe I’ll dream about not

What is catching up to me

But what is on the caliper

Something new, even if it’s unrehearsed

Ready nonetheless

To take center stage under the lights

 

C L Couch

 

 

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