At times
I totter on the brink
of doing something beyond the realm of utter foolishness,
or saying something outside the bounds of total stupidity:
something that would have
consequences I can perceive
and ramifications I cannot imagine.
I totter –
it would be so easy to cross that invisible, but real line –
it could feel so good (for the moment) –
it would meet so many selfish needs.
I totter –
but pull back,
the deed left undone,
the words choked unspoken in my mouth.
A sigh of relief escapes my lips,
a shard of regret pierces my heart.
25 March 2012
Arlington, VA
Along the Graybeard Trail 