I walked out this morning to find it raining
in January.
It was sixty degrees.
I had just watched a 60 Minutes piece about
the impending mass extinction.
I heard the caw of a crow overhead.
My life, so insignificant, will someday come
to an end.
What of this world?
I read the great poets because I think
it will make me a better poet.
I watch 60 Minutes because I think
it will make me a better human being.
I try to live in the present because
I cannot tolerate my past self
and I cannot bear to think of
what the future has in store.
I do know that there is no point in
remaining silent, no point
in remaining cool anymore.
I’d rather be exposed for the fool
I am than sit complacent and be considered
a wise man. I’d rather follow those
who are foolishly endeavoring to do some good
than those who stand by and say,
“There is no point.”
In a world that is falling, what can one do
but strain oneself to keep it upright?
What can one do but shoulder the burden
with all of one’s strength, no matter how slight
that strength may be?
I walked out this morning and it was
sixty degrees and raining
in January.
I heard a crow caw overhead.
It was heading North for the winter.
