An Eye on the Evening

Still here, that old reason

To wait for what comes next

Louise Bogan explained,

Putting things well enough.

Maybe you’re hanging on

Or think you’re a fighter,

Survivor, but you’re not

In charge. It’s why the old,

The really old, seem so

Surprised. They hadn’t meant

To decide. Life towed them

Alongside. Here they are

Again, blinking in sun

Or lamplight. Some of them

Do depart earlier,

Before their cells are done.

That’s harder, honestly,

Much worse than mere surprise.

The accomplishment’s not

The mind’s, in any case.

Wake while you’ve still got some

On any given day

And think, still here, breathing,

That old reason to wait.