I was born in Illinois
along the Mississippi
but actually never lived there
I recently discovered
the hospital I was born in
—St. Anthony’s & more
specifically the building itself—
doesn’t exist anymore
Now I’m beginning to think
perhaps I’m a fortunate son
for having never
ever lived there
may two thousand twenty-five
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
now with winter in the rearview
it’s time to open
the second story windows
for the very last time
I always imagined I’d miss this place
but it seems the preparations
have been ongoing for so long
it’s simply not the case
think of a loved one
who’d been in the final stages of life
for weeks or months
or possibly years
that when the time finally arrived
it was as if a warm & lasting relief
somehow superseded
grief or regret
march two thousand twenty-five
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
we cannot be more sensitive to pleasure
without being more sensitive to pain
—Alan Watts
moving unmechanically
detached from anxiousness
as the attachment of physical
pleasure turns elusive
past concerns dissipate
and dissolve into nothingness
unnecessary repetitions
rarely advance the course
instead focus on destinations
far from evil spirits
that once plagued the senses
happiness cannot be held
nor grasped at
though by accepting
& appreciating surrender
may aid in understanding
how the poorest of spirits
carry no burden
february two thousand twenty-five
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
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