The structure that was built just east of me,
apparently completed weeks ago,
has shown few signs of any tenancy.
The light at 3 a.m. appears to glow
by some robotic timer’s agency.
But yesterday I saw a flash – a show
of bathroom light flipped on at 7:10,
like someone rose to use a toilet then.
Like most, when we were told to stay inside,
it interrupted hair cuts for a while.
Accepting that, embracing germicide,
I let my gray hair grow, and soon no style
gave me new ideas (and anyway,
who saw?) In time some cuts resumed – by then
my stylist’s life had changed, so I would stay
and she would visit, trimming me again.
But now she’s gone. She’s studying abroad.
I had to call and try somebody new
to me. This week my hesitation thawed.
I took the chair. I sighed through that shampoo.
Located in my favorite neighborhood,
the site, the person, and the cut were good.
I’m moving slower, but it’s not because
I’m older or in pain or feel unwell.
Avoiding careless injury and flaws
in attitude – now grace begins to gel
in me – a microchange in every cell.
The dashing never won me any boon –
it only pitched me forward. Now I swell
with small ideas I’ll try this afternoon.
Three weeks from now I’ll be away from here,
near midway through a tantalizing trip.
I used to travel thus most every year,
the chosen mode quite often via ship.
But Covid intervened with crowding fear,
with age and caution acting like a whip
that drove me home, corralling wanderlust.
And now though old I’m kicking off some dust.
Of course I’ve tried to change behavior more
than once, and more than once I’ve likewise failed.
What felt like stubbornness then made me sure
to try again – I’m worth the work entailed.
But I’ve seen others flunk and hit the floor –
they felt unworthy of success, and bailed.
It isn’t will, but is appropriate,
when confidence refutes the urge to quit.
I didn’t think the tree at all diseased.
It reared among four others on the field.
But walking by last week, my sight was seized
by several guys with ropes that they unreeled,
supporting one so high his harness teased
the sky, his shape by height almost concealed.
I wondered what the reasoning could be
that prompted governors to kill that tree.
It may be confidence that powers me
to venture on a course with diligence.
It’s other than will power, certainly;
it may be confidence.
It doesn’t hurt to have experience
with earlier campaigns, but presently
I think success comes mostly from a sense
that self deserves an opportunity
unearned by stricture or intelligence
to work toward where the will wants, steadfastly.
It may be confidence.
Perhaps it’s chance – no sooner did I plug
the gadget in my kitchen outlet than
all signs of critters stopped, without a drug
or any hunting/trapping/moving plan.
The scritching in the night and morning span
cut off. Coincidence, or this device?
No pest control need send me out some man.
My place is quiet now, and this is nice.
Some creature must have targeted my wrist.
I noticed nearly 14 days ago
a quarter-size of redness. Something kissed
that didn’t feel mosquito-ish. I know
it might have been a spider. They insist
on thriving here this time of year. The show
of red diminishes with every day.
Immune response is slow but has its way.
In dream I acted an entitled bitch.
In fact I don’t veer very much that way,
but am I wholly lacking a trait which
I criticize in some and might display
a microbit at times? It’s time to switch –
I rose with aim and attitude today
to let my kinder thoughts enhance my show.
I hope to find a softer way to go.
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