i\'ve survived again
to be in this cool(ing) place
a pleasant breeze
one single Sabal amongst the Oaks,
Crepe Myrtles
dappled shadows on red bricks
Liriopes & Coonties
underneath the trees
the city around me buzzes, hums
another iced latte
as i watch all of humanity
doing the things that they do
someone starting an edger
deliniating the path
a clear, ada-compliant way forward
backward
onward
i\'ve felt the icy claws of mortality
too many times now
fifty six years it\'s been
decade after decade of trial, reprieve
then try again
all of the older ones i now see traversing the path,
they were young at one time
all of the young ones i now see traversing the path,
will be a little worse for wear
i can say that i\'ve earned my stoop,
my white goatee,
the silver streaks making paths of their own in my hair
a little worse for wear
as i stare, and stare, and stare
at this world,
at humanity
...
i like my coffee cold