Aftershock

For so many years I lived in fear of losing love again, loneliness preferable to transient bliss, something I could count on. Then you made me laugh, infectious laughter, like a stoned creek’s sighs. A woman with so much sadness in her life made me her chocolate man found some joy in me of all people, fragile poet that I am. Rhythm’s nourishment, manna from heaven, rhyme, icing on the cake. But happiness is so fragile isn’t it, expectations of loss almost the same thing - gypsy fortune teller views crystal ball. Then she leaves you too, no new address, future connection uncertain at best. Time passes and I find myself still laughing even after your son’s death an apparent suicide, part of this life, but not seen as a curse. Sad for sure, but God too, is not to blame, all known life terminates. And yet you and I persist, beyond reason, our creation’s big bang mysterious too though hardly something to hang your hat on. And that we still feel love at all An unexpected aftershock. Brian Johnston January 9, 2016