On Turning 58

Maybe it was the day before or the day after that was of more signifigance
like Mother’s Day
Maybe it was the sunny warm but breezy afternoon on my bike heading out to the wetlands preserve with native grasses and wild birds where a flock of marsh wrens wheeled above me against the white clouds
Maybe it was the tulips springing to life in vibrant red and orange hues
Maybe it was the mustard greens and spinach and lettuce in my garden beginning to show signs of growth
Maybe it was a chocolate latte at the coffee shop hanging out with my old Taurean comrade, Dan whose birthday is two days before mine
Maybe it was getting together with two women friends, Vicki and Eva who are also Tauruses and celebrating over a quiet dinner that was neither on my birthday or theirs but a few weeks later
Maybe it was receiving a package in my PO box from my old artist and poet comrade Professor O with a card of a Japanese painting on the front wishing me a bright sunny day full of creative adventures though I really had none
and the chocolate bar and a CD of a recording of a friend’s band in Santa Rosa
Maybe it was picking up the phone to retrieve a few messages from friends saying happy birthday even though they didn’t have time to get together
Some remembered and some didn’t and that’s the way it is and
it wasn’t my 50th or my 60th, only my 58th reminding me that I am a year closer to death to be rid of the pain and suffering of the world
But also was a reminder that I am still very much alive even with minor health problems
It was telling me it’s time to make some changes in my life for the better
while I’ve still got some time left unless something unforseen should arise
that I am not prepared for
For time is of the essence in this fast moving world of chaos brutality
cruelty love and compassion and beauty
It is here and gone like a glimpse of the sun between rain showers and gray skies
and I am content to stay home and listen to some Mozart, prepare dinner and drink a glass of wine rather than going out on the town