What I've Come to Realize

Think of what it takes just to sustain our

lives on any given day. How large does

a gnat have to be in order to breath? Does

the mouse know what it needs to eat in

order to maintain an acceptable weight?

And does the butterfly or walrus care if

the rent is paid? There is a stand of trees

in the Amazon aflame at this moment in

time. How soon will the oxygen I breathe

dissipate to an unacceptable level? Ever

consider what it takes to keep ships afloat

and on course crossing the sea? What if

Bremerhaven is not there when the ship

arrives? What if the gnat dies in flight?

Does it matter, does the butterfly, mouse

or walrus really care? Why then should I?

Will I find out about that last tree I needed

to survive going up in smoke before the news

reaches me? Lately, I have come to realize

it has become more difficult getting around.

Could be that Bremerhaven isn’t in a place

where it’s expected to be. Perhaps I should

have paid the rent on time.

Chris Hanch 9-5-19