The dance

When I was young

I had no fear.

I dove off bridges into the flooded Wabash,

turned off head lights

and raced away into the night on acid,

hitchhiked across America,

stood toe to toe with a cop

and a billie club and won.

I took my beating from a squad

of his buddies in a dead end alley.

When I married and we had children,

I quit daring death to fight me one on one.

I resisted rock climbing,

when it was all the rage.

I did not bungee jump

or dive out of airplanes.

I turned down an opportunity

to become co-owner of an ultra light aircraft.

I faced down a pistol, a shotgun

and a guy who pulled a knife,

but it was not from lack of fear.

It was anger that drove me through midlife.

Now I circle alone with my thoughts

trying to decide

if it is anger or lack of fear,

I need to embrace this dance with grief.

9-19-25