I am thinking
for Laurence Ferenghetti
I am thinking about the future
and I am thinking
about my children's sense of time
and I am thinking of reasons
to cross the bridge
and shout It’s not fair
and I am thinking
that the silence
is only a precursor of night’s wish
and I am thinking
about the homeless
dying—alone—
and I am thinking
that fighting a war is only
an excuse to kill people—
and I am thinking
I will never again work
as a software engineer
and I am always thinking
about my children’s sense of worth.
I am thinking about God’s motives
and I am thinking
the Lord works in mysterious ways
known only to Her
and I am thinking
seven days is a mighty long time
to build a sand castle
and I am thinking
it could wash away so easily
and I am definitely thinking
about speaking straight to Her
for the first time in my life
and I am thinking
from my nose right through
to the tips of my toes
and I am thinking
that words, like iove, are nourishment for the soul
and I am still thinking
about my children’s sense of good.
I am thinking the time has come
and I am thinking
of a long-past memory
of my late father
and I am thinking
I should forgive him his faults
and I am thinking
of Europe in summer
and of waiters serving cherries flambé
and I am thinking
of running away to Scandinavia
and I am thinking
running away never solved anything
and problems are put there to be
and I am thinking
past tomorrow, past next week,
past November '98
and I am thinking
while birds sing and
sirens blare
about my children’s sense of life.
I am thinking about the breakup of Canada
and I am seriously thinking
all Quebecois need to relax
and take a nap
and I am thinking
about the beginning of life
and I am thinking
about the ending of a nation
and I am thinking
how to shape a happier country
from the inside
and I am thinking
of entering the battle
on the Plains of Abraham
by selling poutine on the sidelines
and iam thinking
of shouting Tabernacle
along the highway to Rimouski
and I am thinking
Someday I should send
my children on an exchange.
I am thinking about Sir John A.’s vision
and I am thinking
I haven’t been doing my share
of propaganda pushing
and I am thinking
that the wealth of the West,
and the poverty of the Atlantic Provinces
has too long been ignored
and I am thinking
Ottawa was a bad choice
for the capital of Canada
and I am thinking
of travelling across this country
by train in July when the heat
melts the asphalt roads
and I am thinking
that flying one flag isn't enough
and I am perpetually thinking
about my children‘s sense of this land.
I am thinking
that life is too slow
in the wrong places
and I am thinking
of cutting the lawn with pinking shears
and I am thinking
I'll write a collection of poems
about grass growing
and I am thinking
that words, like flowers, bloom repeatedly
long after the season has past
and I am thinking
I’ve not done enough planting this year
and I am thinking
about the care and tending
of Earth’s creatures
and I am realistically thinking
of covering the whole mess over
to start with a clean slate,
but I am tired of thinking
so I will let things be.
[© 1998]
