as the gray dust of old age

sprinkles itself over

this soft wood universe,

one must ride oppositions out,

heed life's simple railings

falling and climbing,

drifting upwards

or descending

a wise old man slowly opens his eyes

observing another medicine cabinet door sliding open,

revealing a magic symphony of gut bearers strolling through,

directionless,

pregnant with more findings

fresh from further milkings,

and thus the adage is reconsidered

before he gulps down the pills:

just once in a lifetime

the holder may become the gatherer

9/11/73

Bisbee