The lack of fame
my spirit free
A bird uncaged
amongst the trees
Its weight not lifted
and never there
My breath in sequence
above the air
The lack of fame
art’s greatest gift
My oath to no one
allegiance kept
As thoughts go hither
and feelings yon
My soul untempered
—my words to song
(Villanova Pennsylvania: September, 2018)
Yes
Waiting for the final ticket out,
I would write that ending word
And bid goodbye to all I’d said
both ignored—and often heard
I asked the conductor about the fare,
he said “How much can you pay”
As I held my pen, three letters
came together—so arranged
A moment lingered, a lifetime flashed,
the past and future caught
And with voucher punched I climbed aboard
stamped YES—salvation bought
(Villanova Pennsylvania: September, 2018)