Looking ahead

after Bob Hicok’s “Learning to swim”

 

At seventeen, to be given time,

which is to most people, given youth

in years, which is for most of me, given duty,

which is most of what I am, here, where minds

don't stray from lists, to be running behind

one step ahead. Giving everything

 

for this, gratitude, or this, passion, or this,

obligation, that you would take

if needed by a date, any date, or for somebody,

 

anybody, or a favour, for which

a red line sits that would push me

if I needed pushing, in a crisp outfit, as if edges

 

are the lines of goals, as I do,

need pushing, for heavy things,

most of all, their weight.