Sometimes Poem by GORDON GILHULY

sometimes just being there is enough

old man in downtown Havana wrinkled
with wisdom
and enough laughter to fill a stadium sitting
in the sun saying I am here to
no one in particular not with raised fist
unless to cheer an artful well-earned goal
just scored by his young grandson
in the plaza among parked cars

the ball the boy the old man
all a little ragged a little worse
for the wear all sing a song into the
teeth of a great beast all say without saying
I am here and I am good
I have the strength of greatness
in my white hair in my young face

the ancient ball older than the boy who
kicks it may survive a long time yet or
may be crushed tomorrow under the wheels
of an equally elderly Ford the old man
may live for years in the slow
and loving passages of the sun or
may turn a familiar corner one day
soon and find the embrace of the
long-expected stranger the boy
may grow tall and beautiful and strong
as a grandfather's dream or
may die as an enemy combattant defending
his home from the crushing heels
of the new-world imperialism

sometimes it is not enough to claim brotherhood
sometimes it is not enough to point out dependency
sometimes it is not enough to be innocent

sometimes just being there is enough to be dangerous