....Just Dust...... Poem by RIC BASTASA

and that is the fact
my dear
you were alone when you
arrive
and alone you must
sooner leave

friends simply
become blurred memories
families mere pictures
kin but passing days

and here you are
at eighty-five coming to the house
for a breakfast of egg and bread
and coffee

where are your children?
did you not brag about them?
did you not say that the more kids
you have the happier life can be?

you are alone now in that black dress
and pearl accessories
and a very much useful handkerchief
to wipe your
tears

did i not tell you correctly what is this
all about?
there is a way to be happy and the earlier
you accept what real happiness is
the happier you can be

just be yourself. do not gather much.
do not think much. do not expect much.
there is much wisdom in being alone
opening the window of the house
sitting on one of those chairs at the veranda
watching the trees and the clouds
slowly sipping coffee
not rushing with the sweetness of
a little bitterness
for coffee is good the lesser sugar
you put on it
its coffeeness more savored
without much mixing to dote
it is just dust.