for a moment i looked out the window and caught
the evening sun painting the neighbor’s wood pile gold
while indoors the shadows drew nearer and deepened
midway along the journey of my life
what shall i do —
start a college fund for my children;
boost my retirement plan;
keep the good dishes stored for someday;
buy that grave plot under the cedars;
or grow roses, give gifts, live well beneath the sun?
i looked back through the window
and found the golden glow had faded,
night darkening the sky
until the only lights left were fireflies and stars
