If I ever go back
It will be in the manner of elephants who,
Teeth worn and starving,
Having done all to live and reproduce,
Heave a sigh in the gloom and
Deposit themselves
On the bank
Of where it all began.
Until then, do not expect me back.
I am trying to move
So as to fall forward
When I fall
And in so doing
Be both fool and sage,
Trial and error haunting me
At every stage,
But lengthening the list
Of possibilities
For its own sake.
Take what you can
From this junk drawer of a life
And dispose of the rest
Of my foolishness
With maybe a wry pause
But don’t be afraid
Of offending me
Or my memory
If my freedom
Fails to set you free.
If I ever go back
I hope I do not find you there.
