I can’t go
five minutes down
without thinking
about the world
and all the trouble
we’re in–the wars
the confusion & disorder–
Five minutes down
among the leaves
and fallen red berries
(some squashed)
out on the deck
to pretend I’m collected
and calm; content
and peaceful
in the warming sun
which makes stripes
of my pen swipes
in shadows on the ground
as I write–capturing
my inability to find
tranquility as I scribble
this missive
standing up.