Forever is so yesterday 
             a short walk on a long pier 
             a long walk on a short pier 
You choose 

This year nine months gone 
             will not bloom more narcissi 
             nor redden another tomato 
or raspberry 

Walkabouts soften these shriveling 
             October-song days 
             especially walking backwards up 
the steepest hills 

Don’t forget the spin that brings the light 
             the fog 
             that clears the fog 
A few quick twirls will set your dizzy brain 
             atangle in fast-moving cumulonimbi 
             when the spinning 
stops 

Though forever stretches beyond 
             you yearn for it 
             pray you’ll find it 
             at the crest of the next rise 
             beneath the dogwood canopy 
papery leaves turning red 
             under the trill
of next year’s first robin 

But now 
             turn around 
Look up