at the barre
i live life en pointe these days,
always poised for the next wave,
alert, with nostrils open,
sniffing for the swift salt tide incoming
how i cling to that bright barre
because i know i’ll need
its safety, its sure clamping
to the wall of what is real
to those deep currents
from which there is no rescue,
my spirit willing but my arms too weak
how ill-equipped am i
after decades of bought courage
i have no coin remaining with which
to buy another swimmer for to save me
to buff my soul and body
to withstand whatever’s coming
it has, even now, all been for naught
Wishing you all good things in the coming year.