In Place

I celebrate myself 
When I feel I should be celebrated

The ache in my shoulder
The pinch in my knee
Whisper - sometimes too loudly -
“Pay attention, you fool,
This won’t last forever”

everything like the first time
everything like the last time

Cat on the windowsill
Tracing her gaze
Piecing apart each component
of my home
To think all these things were made
Placed in such proximity
only for the blink of an eye

In childhood we’re steered
neutered from nature
Herded hurriedly towards normal
Pressed like a spring against a wall
Some are sent flying
For some, it never lifts at all

We must find our way 
Back to ourselves
To meet in the future
With some precious part of our past

everything like the first time
everything like the last time

Not until death’s sweet floorboards
Do we come to rest at last