First Day 20/12/24

Fresh Paint

Tastes of two hemispheres

picked green skirting,

glossy copper pipes,

and winking orange windows.

Far from family they came home,

across a patchwork city built

in their mold.

Stairs rang to leaving feet.

A door closed.

Homeowners exhaled,

they were alone,

save for the smile of fresh paint.

87

Learning is a lifestyle,

in any place, age, or day.

Sympathy from a bus driver,

who saw me trip in the rain.

Music from a practicing friend,

who made his cello sing for me alone.

Patience from a young professor,

to whom I ranted in my bombast.

Faith from a shrine,

where my god never walked.

I would go on, I could,

but time is short,

and we must each

yet find our teachers.