Brothers in Arms

The sea was one thing, once; the field another. Either way, something got crossed, or didn’t. Who’s to say, about happiness? Whatever country, I mean, where inconceivable was a word like any other lies far behind me now. I’ve learned to spare what’s failing, if it can keep what’s living alive still, maybe just awhile longer. Ghost bamboo that the birds nest in, for example, not noticing the leaves, color of surrender, color of poverty as I used to imagine it when I myself was poor but had no idea of it. I’ve always thought gratitude’s the one correct response to having been made, however painfully, to see this life more up close.The higher gods having long refused me, let the gods deemed lesser do the best they can