I lived and loved
in lives that changed,
mingled in some desperate darkness,
watched sun break over chemtrails.

After every down, I found an up
when I felt defeat and despair.
Sometimes unforeseen
was the warmth of simple routine
and the washing of
her dark brown hair.

Growing old is a story
no one gets to contemplate—
to look back on
and say,
I did that, made it better,
made a better place.

Chemtrails fading away
from the paths that they lay,
now just faded lines
to be drawn again
on another day.

I leave to say: embrace all that is you—
the imperfections,
the darkness,
the kindness,
the love,
and everything else,
come what may…

For this is what creates a life.