Scrambling for a Foothold on the Cliff of Time

by Michael Brownstein

Scrambling
for a foothold
on the cliff
of time
I sense
this cliff face
giving way
beneath my feet
I feel my hands
lose their grip
and now I want
to say thank you
to all those
who have kept
me company
down through
the years
the shy and
intelligent
creatures hidden
in their niches
under stones
inside crevices
and in the branches
of the small
ancient pine
by my side
thank you
for everything
thank you
for showing me
how to think
nothing at all
what a blessing