The Toughest Thing

Marina Reisz Newberry

I’m going to say the toughest thing first—
get it out on the table so to speak.
Life Is Not So Long—except when it is.
The shortest part is about love…like when
you are in love and are loved back threefold.
Or when your best friend comes for a visit
and you sculpt a fine strong drunk together.
That’s when time gets you six ways to sundown
and everything goes by like it’s been shot
out of an M-134 minigun.
The long times come when you are waiting
for the doctor to return your call or
when the bank hasn’t noted your recent
deposit or when the hand you most need
to hold is across the country or world.
Mostly, though, life is short and hard and has
a vicious sense of humor and that’s not
even the half of it. Not even half...
I wish I had more time, I’d tell you more.