.
some stories come linked together
like railroad cars
like death and an old abandoned stove

I was just a kid rummaging through
the garbage and junk
people dumped off Highway 1 onto our property
busted appliances… rusted machinery… car parts
a constant aggravation to my father
but luminous as the moon and stars for me

one day a beat up old stove
graced the roadside bushes
in those days mercury
was used in the oven thermostat
just the kind of treasure an 11 year old
could salvage
and use to make dimes shine

headed back to the house
quicksilver cupped in my palm
for the very first time
and for no apparent reason
it came to me
that one day I would die
the scary thought
falling on me like a bomb
shutting me down
nailing my feet to the ground

then
as any kid would do
I put the prize
the precious ball of mercury
back on the front burner
shoving death aside
after all
nearly a lifetime would pass
before my oncologist would say:
"… and when the time comes,
and it will come
I promise you a graceful end."

nearly a lifetime would pass
until I’d need to remember
the luminous moon and stars
and the childhood trick
of focusing
on the quicksilver at hand
+++.

.........AFTERWORD — I'm often asked how I keep myself from dwelling on the thought of being diagnosed with advanced "terminal" prostate cancer, and yet go about the business of everyday living with style and zest. I mean, without the cancer coloring everything I am and do? -This weeks offering is the "think" I did on this subject shortly after I was given the bad news....nearly 10 years ago!

of National Interest

NEW BIOGRAPHY!

..........A biography of my life has just been completed by Steve Edington who has written two books about Jack Kerouac so I am in good company. Didn't even have to die before I was written about and I got to correct any inaccuracies. Steve has used a lot of my poetry all through the book and the FOREWORD was written by the actress Ruby Dee an old friend of mine. If interested in my life and ministry —

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