Life is Fleeting

I did not marry you,
I married the dream of us.
A life inspired by shared values
of work and play
of growth and gratitude
of quiet reminders
that life is fleeting.

I did not marry you,
I married a grand mission statement.
To make the world a little less bad.
To be more human, vulnerable, and true
To love, to laugh, to cherish,
and to show others

that life is fleeting.

Sounds by
Noname “Bye Bye Baby”
Noname “Sunny Duet”
Nikki Jean “My Love”

Words by Matsuo Bashō:

—
A monk sips morning tea,
it’s quiet,
the chrysanthemum’s flowering.

—
The old pond–
a frog jumps in,
sound of water.

—
In the twilight rain
these brilliant-hued hibiscus . . .
A lovely sunset

—
The dragonfly
can’t quite land
on that blade of grass.

—
How admirable!
to see lightning and not think
life is fleeting.