MIDLIFE

by David Rheins

And in the path halfway between the house and the old dark barn

I pause to witness a rebirth

Suddenly, the air smells different

And the stickiness of my mouth hints of iron and blood

The crickets call me to wake up

Forget the coffee, life is percolating, Bub,

bub-bubbling over with the effervescence of everyday awe

There is still time to anvil marvel the moment

To seize the carpe by it’s diem

And dance with the daughters beside you in the wood

There is no time like the moment

And no present as pitiful as the past

Ride, Pony Girl, dance with the

star-studded Converse confidence you had back in

Merle Sidener’s wicked walls

Kick it, Aunt Sissy,

Hanging in the Saddle Club with Auggie

and Eva

and Little Ray-Ray