I See the Lightning

 

I See the Lightning

I still see the lightning flash

Even though my eyes are closed.

Illumination comes to me even when

I do not wish to see it.

I still can write in shaky cursive,

Though I have only printed

Since I was a boy back in seventh grade

And my poor teacher begged me to write legibly.

I still can ride a bicycle

Even though I'm old

And my center of gravity

Has shifted considerably.

I still get the urge to take off running

Even though my knees can't take it anymore

Just for the sheer joy of the thing,

To fly like wind across an open field.

I still carry in me all that I have learned

Though most of it I learned when I was young,

It was part of growing up back then,

And to my surprise, a part of simply breathing now.

© 2017 by Tom King