© Dave McClure

A Walking Man

A walking man remembers to the lilt
of footsteps, to the rhythm of his heart
and to the warm-cool cycle of his breath -

remembers setting down a heavy pack,
misshapen by neglect, beneath an elm
with promises of "only for a while" -

remembers lightness - seems to see a child
who gathered, gathered, gathered, never knowing
encumbrance, for his spirit carried all -

remembers disillusion, and recalls
how it assailed his sedentary hours
but dared not walk for fear of melody -

and knows himself unable to express
the grace of music in the listening air.

Note: Here is Dave McClure's website