Not Too Bad

By John I. Blair

When asked “How are you doing?”
I’ve learned how to appreciate
The simple truth of saying this:
“Not too bad, considering.”

Each week, each day, each hour,
Each moment should be savored,
Wrung of every drop of life
That can be won.

Yes bitterness waits for me,
The certainty of pain,
Of fear and loss, anxiety,
Waste and grief and death.

But joy dwells here as well
If I just seek hard enough.
A flush of sun, sweet scent of rain,
Food to taste, skin to kiss,

Your warmth, your voice, your breath.

And so, how am I doing?
Not too bad, considering!

©2007 John I. Blair