I must have dozed for a while
In my favorite reading chair.
The book on my lap
Open on a page read
But not remembered.
The sunlight, its day’s work done,
Does a parting farewell dance
Between photographs and objects,
While listening to their stories
Of paths taken or ignored
Things said and regretted,
Of tales of this and that,
And of how and why and when
We chose things, big and small.
Like our children’s names
Or the color of a jacket.
Outside, a Robin,
Blessed with lightness,
Unaware of its importance,
Accomplishes its purpose
With simplicity and candor.
Unconcerned that his song
Is being muffled a bit
By the rumble of faraway cars.
On my desk, a fountain pen
Inherited from a dear friend,
Reminds me of a time
When the future seemed boundless
Daring me to make sense of it.
As if I could!
The walls slowly change color
From orange to pink,
And finally to a dull purple.
They kindly encourage me
To prepare for another day.
Smiling, I leave the room
Gently closing the door behind me.