wondering whose shoes caked
with pain or sorrow
he must lace up tomorrow
where that mile will take him
the burden is his to carry
millstone or milestone
albatross or golden fleece
a heavy talisman that does not
ward off but accepts
even a stranger’s feelings
the anguish, the dread
of someone’s sadness
who will never know
what makes him care
what presses him forward
blessing or curse
gravity or grace
Barry DeCarli
February 17-25, 2015
On Hammond Pond, Goshen, MA
©2015 Barry DeCarli
