life
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There’s the repaired swivel chairon the patio still ableto hold your weight, and there’s the morning breezebrushing past your cheek, and there’s the presenceof the Japanese mapletransplanted long agofrom your father’s backyard. Now you’re gettingused to things that will notbe happening again— from now on never to lookinto a pair of eyessaying, Let’s go somewhereand… Read more
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Living is the only way to squeeze some mudbetween your toes, to fall down froman apple tree, to wonder whatthe turtle knows, to sing alongin harmony. It’s the only way to leave your phoneon the morning train, to greet your demonswith a grin, to be washed cleanby freezing rain, to taste the salt ofsomeone’s skin.… Read more
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So many have come and gone,you’ve lost count.But here you are,still living. It’s best to trust,to stay in patient doubtof what tomorrowwill be giving. If it hasn’t happened yet,it’s not to think about.Sooner or later youlearn everything. Meanwhile, stay rooted as a tree;don’t hypothesize.Live, breathe,applaud the skies. And praise the wayslife tried to make you… Read more
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On a bus not far from Istanbulan old man turns to me and says,“You must live like a squirrel!” I am young, and say, “Ok.” He lifts a finger and says,“A squirrel expects nothing morethan life itself. Living is enough for squirrel.” I offer him some nuts. Heshakes his head, pointing tohis toothless mouth. Years… Read more
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Our little houndloves to nose the ground, sniffing grass and leaveswhere aroma symphonies sing to him. So today,parked at the store his old brown eyes begto leave the car. Each stone, leaf, weedhe meets is new as he pushes hisgray muzzle through savoring the delightsof his much shorter life. We return to the carwhere I… Read more
Selected Poems by Tom Crider 