each (one of us is a) story
here is a story that goes
“once upon a time…”
yet it starts not
at our birth nor
way before air
hits our lungs & we cry
out loud to be heard
as if no one else has before
nor nobody else will after
a son or daughter
a brother or sister
a husband or wife
a father or mother
all of the above & more
part of a family
immediate & extended
given & chosen
each choice that we make
all the ones made for us
woven together
loosely…tightly
a noose or a tether
depending on an outcome
on any claim of what is to be
or becomes our story
our tale may unfold quietly
order in chronology or rhythmically
according to tradition & society
or one conducted adventurously
with less caution more curiosity
belief tucked in luck
even fate or a destiny
“& in the end…”
will there ever really be one?
& i ask simply because
how can it all possibly end
with the earthly life we’ve had?
a part of each story’s past,
& present, & forward
30june-4july2023
for shel & judy gordon
for tita menchu mesina
for julie fukuda
for robert millet
for larry & ann oster