Arms That Free What One Cannot Forever Keep Poem by RIC BASTASA

most people are attuned to living
without love
for despite its encompassing arms
its fingers remain to be scarce

despite the expertise of the bowman
the arrows still miss
and hit the wrong one waiting to be
taken

the happiness finally lies in not
expecting anything
the surprise of all surprises may come
soon, or soonest, or not at all
time teaches us finally not just accept
things that come things that go
people that arrive people that leave
and then you watch Mr. Bean on tv and
say, "this man is right, happiness must not
depend on anyone! "

smile to yourself, walk with yourself
learn this kind of life, alone but not sad
arms that open always for what may come
arms that free what one cannot forever keep
ot keep.