May hunger and sickness become strangers to you.

Forgetting to wear clothes again.

“Divide up my forgetfulness to any number,

it will go around.”

-Rumi

It’s true, I have more than enough

forgetfulness to share, enough for everyone.

I forgot to go to work

and then I forgot to do my chores at home.

I forgot to pay the bills, which isn't so bad

since there isn't any money anyway.

It’s a lovely day, but I forgot to go outside,

and then my pajamas were so comfortable

that I also forgot to get dressed.

My friend, when I began this poem

I had a point, I’m sure of it.

I wonder what it was?

Alas, let's forget it.

James Lee Jobe

Richard Thompson - 1952 Vincent Black Lightning

May there be enough light to see your footsteps in the darkness. May there be enough sound for music and speech -- and laughter. May hunger and sickness become strangers to you. This I pray.

James Lee Jobe 

The days grow long, the mountains 

beautiful. The south wind blows 

over blossoming meadows. 

Newly arrived swallows dart 

over the steaming marshes. 

Ducks in pairs drowse on the warm sand. 

Tu Fu

Opposable thumbs and a measure of peace.

“I have a thirsty fish in me that can never find enough 

of what it is thirsty for.”

-Rumi 

Raising his head above the water, 

the old fish said to me, 

"I must have crossed this cold sea 

a thousand times already. It’s work. 

Working and drinking. 

Working and drinking. 

Working and drinking. 

It’s easy to get caught up in that harsh cycle, 

and there is no real satisfaction in it, 

no peace. 

I’m thirsty for dry land, for the feel 

of the world under me. 

if want to trade these tired fins 

for the arms and legs of a true human being. 

Oh, to have opposable thumbs 

and a measure of peace." 

I walked away from the shore. 

I can't give him the kind of help he wants, 

and it's pointless to try to reason with a fish. 

James Lee Jobe 

Not knowing when the dawn will come,

I open every door. 

Emily Dickinson

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James