Paradigm Shift Poem by RIC BASTASA

here he is again
looking back, seeing the pictures of
some friends babysitting
grandsons and
granddaughters

he is taken to far places
by his mind

and then he looks inside telling
himself,

'i'll cross the bridge when i get there
i am different
i am strong
and i am not following their paths
i have my own place under the sun
and i am happy
facing myself in my
mirror'

he shifts his gaze to an island
where once he planted all those
green coconut trees
full of nuts