Aconversation With You. Poem by RIC BASTASA

i am trying to see the
good side of life
some of its beautiful
slices
something sweet and juicy
something to add spice
to this bland menu of life

last night the storm came
some trees fell and
some rivers overflowed
a number of people evacuated
to the higher ground
as the waters begin to rise
as houses get half covered with
murky waters

we busy ourselves with everyday
concerns, as others get ready
for christmas, buying cheese and
ham and ingredients for their
family menu in time for the family
reunions


the news of recent killings are
horrible and then i stop watching
the news on TV, all these things
about vaccine, and covid and
floods and earthquakes and the rise
of infections and the recent mutation
of the virus which accordingly
is getting more infectious than the
first corona virus

it would seem that there are
more fears and more calamities to come
and all these boggles the mind
and bothers the peace that we are
trying to grow in the garden of
life, the beauty of the flowers of
love and the scent of love spreading
in the air early morning


for once, i will not think about
what will happen tomorrow, as i will
settle for what is here; fresh mountain
air, peaceful stars, swaying trees,
and a conversation with you.