A Free-Spirited Routine Poem by Jim Yerman

I fancied myself growing up a free spirit
kind of crazy
unpredictable…you know what I mean
but as I've grown a little older I find…I like a good routine.

A routine that is predictable and filled with my favorite things…
Like waking up early and taking a walk as the birds begin to sing.

A routine that is relaxed
kind of cozy,
comfortable and stable...
like eating my favorite breakfast
in my favorite spot…next to Deborah at our table.

I have my favorite old TV shows
I love to watch when they repeat
Like Leave it to Beaver
Andy Griffith
and that one with Della Street

I have my favorite foods
I always smile when I greet them
I even have my favorite utensils
and my favorite way to eat them.

Wait! I don't want you to get the wrong impression
I'm still ready to start something new
a new challenge
a new dare
It's just now I usually consider my options
from the comfort of my favorite chair…

Where I contemplate how my free-spiritedness
(after all…I'm not a philistine!)
can fit in between my dinner at 6: 00…
and my bedtime—9: 15