One Day I’ll Be a Grandfather Too

“One day I’ll be a grandfather too,” I told my son.
“And you’ll walk with a cane?”
“When I’m very old, most likely,” I answered
“And then what will happen?”
“Then I’ll scatter into the wind. And I’ll be everywhere.”
“I want to scatter into the wind too,” he said
and I, moved, blew gently on his face and said
“There, your curls have scattered. Now
bring the ball and let’s go play outside
while we still can, while I don’t have
a cane.”

Understanding the here and now
understanding your own nature and your surroundings
brings the knowledge that
a breath comes and does not return.

And you, how much?
Do you rely on the here and now, are you aware of it,
do you breathe this specific, special, one-time breath?

One day — you too — will be. But for now
let’s be. Simply, let’s live. Now.