YOU CAN’T GO FISHING UNTIL YOU

PUT YOUR LINE IN THE WATER

for Bob Engel

What is this tiredness in me

that rest will not restore?

How do I correct this fault

of age that wears me down

When I need to be alert

to every passing breeze of breath

that I catch my own, alerting

me to a need

That again needs restoring,

for being diminished in age

has put me to still another test,

and yet another law

From which I can emerge glorious,

with an earned breath of exaltation,

whether I have something to say

or am simply here for my song to honor

Each and every breath of exaltation,

to see and understand

that all is holy, and unspent.