Career

looking back on it now

it was worth it

doing it was

really nothing at all

the hard work

long days

striving nights

making ends meet

hours dollars

paying for schools

mortgages cars

summer vacations

gifts and promises

putting off soldiering on

the well-kept gardens and lawns

the struggle against

the push and pull of

distractions and promises

of fame and promotions of

advancement and fortune

suppressing the anger bubbling

below the surface from all

the small things

that go wrong

that went wrong

seeking the praise of my father

from another’s mouth

the ghost of my mother smiling through

the window in the office door

the cleaning lady speaking

no language i knew

a colleague down the hall

probing prodding envious

my children grown

the moral compass set

for their direction

the introspection

the running and laughter of grandchildren

the loyalty and patience of dogs

my favorite chair

the pictures of loved ones

hanging on walls

lining cabinet tops

the desk where i

worked where i lived

this morning

out and alone for sunrise

familiar clouds

i’ve never seen before

thin against the sky

reach

reflect for a moment

trace endless

disappearing shapes

dissipate

as water

air

and grace