Have to . . . Don’t Have to

That’s it. That’s the wedge of perception
That angles in and waits for the blow
That will drive it deep enough to stick.

Is there something that you have to do?
Or does this horizon hold nothing
Looming, so you stretch your mental legs?

If you have to—the have to will spawn
Anxiety, dread, your personal
Supply of the future, approaching.

But if you don’t have to? If you don’t
Have to, never, not once, don’t have to?
Not having to do, not having to,

That’s the source of every other peace.
Lean back in the sunlight and sigh.