Of Will and Want - May 16, 2026

quitting pickleball last year,

I knew I needed exercise

and took up walking

and realized I needed to push

with purpose, as if a nipping dog

was on my heals

it’s now become just my head

floating above the churn of legs

and the pendulums of arms

an odd disconnect of will and want,

freeing me for discussions with myself,

mumbling about things I see -

ravens curiously circling above

a rabbit fleeing across the path

other walkers passing, paired and in groups

of deep discussions and laughter,

with a few that must notice

my mouth mumbling away

(taking notes for poems)

and thinking; here’s a guy

talking to himself

and no one is listening