PoetInternational
Poets Have Dreams
By Michael Lee Johnson
Young poets have dreams.
Old poets scan obituaries.
Some still drive, chasing vanilla cones,
pockets lined with expired coupons.
Jesus, a 49-flavor redeemer.
It's hard to give up faith and hope,
calculated by age and false teeth.
I hear myself whistling in the dark.
Each morning, I rise, fearful.
Fear is a formula for endings.
"You are performing well, Michael.
You can still raise your arms.
to comb your hair."
Let's share premium toast-
kingly bread, walnuts,
a spoon of blackberry jam-
reminders that mornings can be sweet.
Please, before the subsequent back surgery,
check your mutual fund totals.
I need some help.
Not just with numbers or toast;
sometimes, with mornings themselves-
shadows dwelling near the window,
or the throb in memory that asks for company.
If you're listening, sit with me for a while-
let's watch the day brighten,
counting dreams, not losses.