...like the welder who stood
lazily proud, hat in hand, paying
tribute to an ideal.

dirt, grease his bring-home pay
along with what measure
of humility he gains daily.

his coal-dusty overalls,
a well-worn salute
to his regal commonness.

in every moment's movement
he touches something real
and like an alchemist, affects change.

or, mayhaps i should, like him,
change the blue mist-laden field
to green, when upon the sun rises.

and too, i should be the image
of constancy ever-changing,
and tread life's path with glee.

otherwise,i will look at Venus
and only see the veins
of a maple leaf.

10/11/2005