SPRING: Fresh daisy and dead leaves - photo taken 04-04-11

Today I am 53 years old.

I thought about writing a spontaneous birthday poem in the style of Gregory Corso.  I wrote some words in a crowded Italian bar but got distracted wondering how to translate dulce de leche (a thick creamy caramel which was listed as a coffee topping alongside cherry, vanilla and chocolate).

There’s always something to take your mind off things.

Before this I was reflecting how my hair is thinner and my teeth are more crooked and began calculating what years I won’t live to see. The sweet reflections improved my mood.

Never underestimate the power of superficiality!

I didn’t finish the poem, but  took great consolation in the anticipation of sampling these delicious flavours in the near future and I remembered the words  of Mervyn Peake:  “To live at all is miracle enough”.