A pattern of visual notes glimmering on the lake
Reflecting spots of sunlight dancing on the waves
Seen looking that way facing the direct sunlight
Squinting into the full on bright beam radiation.
We were walking south along the shore path
Scuffling through the November leaf litter
On a warm enough day to enjoy a hike
Taking in the beauty of the passing scene.
My camera failed to focus on the sparkles
Creating a soft image of clustered circles
Unlike the points of light that twinkled on my retina
Effecting something lovely to be seen later.
But there are spots you never want to see
The ones that were revealed in a bone scan
As I heard my friend confide on our phone call
Considering what possible treatment options.
Recurrence and progression are dreadful words
We hope to put off for another day
Wanting to delay the inevitable awaiting all of us
Making each moment of each day precious.
This turn of events puts my friend in a tight spot
Forced to make a choice between bad and worse
Deciding if and when to begin again what was awful
Or if there’s any possible alternative.
Looking into the future is like trying to spot someone
In the distance in a crowd of people
Coming towards you calling your name
Someone who you know you know.
Spot the dog in my first grade reader cannot outrun import
No matter how many meanings a word takes on
No shifting usage can change the material fact
Those spreading bone spots are big trouble.
All of this will disappear into the chasm of geologic time
Including both of us with our lives lived together and apart
We who worry with good reason about what comes next
We can take comfort in our shared humanity.
