I know

Let’s ignore

The wolf

Of course

He needs

A pack

But couldn’t we

Just watch

As he creeps

Out onto

That thin ice

That wouldn’t

Make us be

Directly

To blame

Would it

I mean

Couldn’t we

Just say that

While it is true

We could have

Anticipated

The crash

We didn’t

Actually

Cause the cold

Or the numb

Or the blue

Or the drowning

Or the death

It would be

Quite a shame

However

I’m sure

We’d all

Agree

On that

I could tell you were a man-made lake

Wanted there and then

To bring the city to a sigh

And calm the busy busy motorways

I could tell you were a fantasy team

Extend the play here and now

And keep us young and playing on

Until our minds follow our bones

I could tell you were an acoustic kick drum

Keeping time in a muted way

Important and weighty to steady the band

But aggressive and headache-inducing

I could tell you were a skyscraper mural

From the moment we met

Cause wow – such size – such scope

But 1-dimensional is 1-dimensional

I could tell you were a drone

Only sent to spy on my past

Only sent to record and verify

What you knew all along

Even if wrapped

3-feet deep in wrapping paper

You would still not be a gift

At least not for me

Sure I still smile when I see you

I have an unfailing fondness for you

But as for the day to day

I’ve lost my sense of smell and taste

When it comes to you

A piece has died and broken off

And I can’t resuscitate my heart

My patience has left the station

And I’m really ok with that

Because I know and you know

That I poured into you with vigor

I gave and gave and gave

And have never regretted a minute

I invited you into everything

And built you a big ole stage

I listened to every whine and complaint

And watched everyone shrug

When you flipped out

And showed yourself

Again and again

And again and again

See, I’m simply spent

Still for you

Not over you

Simply spent

And fine

With empty open palms

I need leaving lessons

It’s been awhile

But it used to be my specialty

Either I am stuck

Or simply suspended

In the tick-tock of reality

I opened the envelope

But the butterfly didn’t fly

Maybe it was 40 below

Or maybe just time to die

Or maybe I’m to blame

For all frozen things

I need leaving lessons

Just can’t respect

Any single teacher out there

It would take all I have to care

Enough to find my bearings

So I’ll stay here indefinitely

I opened the envelope

But my name wasn’t in it

But I know I wrote it in there

And paid for all the fame

And drug flighty and ungrateful associates

Who only wanted the name

I need leaving lessons

So many do it with ease

But I’m a stubborn so-and-so

Who has a God to please

And in truth I can’t stop

Actually loving these people

People are lovely

Worth focus

Worth the wait

Worth the smile

Worth the time

People are lovely

People are lovely

See them

Know them

Stop for them

Converse with them

People are lovely

People are lovely

Not obstacles

Not projects

Not furniture

Not in the way

People are lovely

Taking control

Taking control

Every seed hopes

Even if it is not desirable

That some other little one

Is mindful of them

Alas, no

Taking control

Taking control

You must know

When you are the sole

Surveyor of you

You must know

And gird quickly

Taking control

Taking contol

You would forget

Yourself also

If your own mind

Was so grossly void of care

And so shockingly preoccupied

Taking control

Taking control

It’s so hard to write thank you cards

In the middle of the storm

In the middle of the sea

Handwriting’s a mess

Straight lines are impossible

Clear thoughts are frozen cold

Yet here I am

With pen in hand

And the best of intentions

Thankful but weathered

Thankful but all over the map

Thankful but so mindful

That this ocean

Has a bottom and a top

No. Nobody hears the tree fall

It’s a thick, thick state

Things stand still, frozen

You live in the center of the roller coaster

Where it’s still and quiet

You’re naked and waving

Please see me

Off – On – Safety check – Thumbs up – Go

Fun is had by all

You shuffle past this way now and again

You’re a very pale shade of flesh

I don’t know you well enough to be worried

You’re gumming more than chewing

You’re slobbering more than biting

And that’s a nice change

You’ve got me shaky in all sorts of ways

You’re like a weak dulcimer

You’re like the memory of a long lost neighbor

There’s a type of hope there

A type of peace

Even if only preventative

But, of course – we over-promise

Like we do – as we do

So we don’t sleep at all

But it’s there in the glimmer

Just ahead

What a fun day

When it gets here