the place is nice, eh?
hard to say – i respond.
…
do you like it? 
i’m thinking about a companion vessel. 
is it worth the money? 
do i get a vase on the memoriam?
i’m sure it will look nicer in the spring. 
funeral service or celebration of life?
geez.
$9463.75, tax in.
and 9.4% interest, compounded monthly
for financing.
i’ll probably get the sandwich and wraps package.
but we can probably think about that later.
ya?
…
what? 
ok. maybe. no. yes. i don’t know.
my god!
it’s not like real estate.
…
but you said
…
it’s nothing like real estate! 
what was i thinking?
…
are you okay?
…
hard to say.

thanks for the share,
but only one word's 
what ya got there!

and it ain't so easy for me,
[quite candidly].
its far more steps,
to focus my lens 
to rep, 

all the peeps I know 
or the places I'll go,

the books to be read 
and marathon threads,

the laughs and tears, 
the groans and cheers -

how can I light this all up 
in one word?

the days and nights, still to go.
the after-school shows.

the courses not run.
the in-class fun.

the pd, the dpa, and curriculum.
the talking, the listening, and pushing the system.

blending They into We,
oh and equity

seems to stall my New Year's commitment.

So,

in choosing my word 
I'll take two, not one.
And I hope that you'll 
see where I'm going.

unexpected expectations are expected
everyday,
so choosing
without ever really knowing

between left and right, 
up and down

kept up with a smile, 
sometimes a frown,

not lowest or highest
leftest or rightest

bestest or worstest
lastest or firstest.

trouble is
that I have two-one words
that fit

and 

no extremes will explain
my mindset best
other than I'm happy 
being an okayist,
who's also okayest.

not the greatest or leastest
not famined or feastest
not flying or falling
not running or stalling

the between
the middle
fits me like a fiddle

So

I choose the hub, the core.
Cause I grow best.
I crave the balance.
Where we connect 
even more.

now 
when we all 
run the middle no farther
[did I mention fiddle?]
and stand at center, 
as one.

if we all see each other
on the line of best fit
since outlying is 
really no fun.

and if you
are wondering
how I came to this
consider the challenge
of finding the balance
of 
an okayest okayist.

seriously?!
it ain't easy.

one way or other
below or above ya
with or without
sure or in doubt
[sorry if I shout],
 
rain or clear weather
 
we are best
when we
stand here
together.

with many words,
not just one.

the edges lay
grey and pilled,
woolen – 
silent folded arms
embrace
around the worn
copper zipper.
my father lived
in this sweater,
he stretched
and read
and smoked.
he held me
loved my mom
drank coffee
and paid taxes.
it used to smell
of ash and paper
from backyard nights
with his lit cigarette –
him staring out
at lost stars
and distant children.
now with him gone,
long after I left him,
he is here,
curled on my bed.