Common Sense

How is it I once felt I was destined to be something so great,

just to be spending my days thinking about the next day

and all the things I need to get done –

like cleaning the spotty sides of my kitchen oven,

replacing the flickering light bulb in the fridge,

cutting away at the work pile well overdue,

and filing my taxes in the sudden dark of March.

If I thought I was too old to try something new when I was nineteen,

then I’m definitely too old now,

and everyone older than me always feels light years ahead –

because, sometimes, I still believe I have the magic of time

and the power of decision to get to where I need – 

a wish bone split right down the middle before it’s tossed away. 

All I think about is money nowadays too,

and look forward to each Friday so I can put my paycheck

into a savings as soon as I wake up –

this brings me a wave of peace like watching reality TV,

smoking after a long working day,

the small, mighty rise of making Kitchari,

and quiet walks after dinner in the cool, nighttime air.

Growing up is so hard in ways I didn’t expect,

with a firm resolve for stability that’s taken over everything else

and says “I’m the most important thing you’ll ever need to think about,”

as common, to me, as common sense.