Block by block I'm building
my life, with granite
and with pearls.
Slowly, as if a house
of cards, I'm going
to make my world

The people that I
make my friends
and those that
I despise
will live forever in
my writing, my half-truths,
and my lies

The roads I take
and the places I go
will teach me
to believe
in all that's dirty
all that's good
and all that's
in between

With shaky hands
I'll craft this life
as well as can be
done
I'll fill it up with
sorrow and joy,
with sadness and with
fun.

My wife, my center,
the core of my world
around which all
revolves.
A beauty in form and
wit and mind a
mystery unresolved

The children she'll bear
we'll raise as our friends
the best two parents
can
With trust, understanding
patience and love with
a stern and gentle
hand.

I can't see beyond,
my vision is gone
and the rest ain't
mine to tell.
I'm building a
life, I do it with pride
and I hope that I
do it well.

AcB 6.25.99