THE ENLIGHTENED

when i was younger
i would shoot the rapids
on any subject
showboating in the shallows
and later on
enjoyed being in over my head
discussing the depth
of wider deeper places

however
having spent half my life
working both sides of this river
i feel i know the pools and eddies
fairly well
and when the conversation flows these days
i find it impossible
to wade right in

but don’t misunderstand
the silence
for i do enjoy being here with you
listening
to the things you have to say

and in some small way
comprehending perhaps
why the so-called enlightened
simply stand
by the water
smiling
vacantly

~

This poem was originally published in VOICE OF THE HIVE in 1978 by Smithmark Publications.