64. Carry On

There is a figure standing, leaning

on the signpost, arms folded,

with a wide-brimmed hat

that covers most of his

downward-tilted face.

There could be a smile

on the wayward’s features, and

one can almost see

such a suggestion if one looks hard enough.

            It’s the kind of smile that says,

            addressing the whole world,

            “Come on, I know who you are,

            so let’s start.”

            And it’s not a pretense –

            the traveler really does know

            all the things he addresses

            (every last one)

And unexpected as anything,

he tilts his face up and

yes, it is a smile there

it’s a smile that he carries along

as he steps onto the

road, and it’s a smile that

knows everything even though its

bearer doesn’t know what way he’s going.