How I Got from There to Here by Ray Johnson

How I Got from There to Here

by Ray Johnson

Couldn’t remember who I wanted to be
when the circle opened.
Didn’t want to run into a pole
and knock myself senseless
following my voracious brothers
out into that world of possibilities
and options.
I knew I had the spunk and verve of Grandma
who lived a full 100 years, but
wasn’t sure where to plug in, when to cut the cord.

And as Grandma said: “Always look
to those you love for guidance
when matter-of-fact decision
seems out of reach, because
they’ve been there, done that and are alive
to point out pitfalls and life’s incongruities.”
Now here I stand, her words to heart,
mastering the next move. I think I’ll take
a train across Mexico, along its deep canyon,
keep a journal, practice my Spanish, work on compassion
and write a book about the whole friggin’ adventure.

Like Grandma said, “Enjoy life,” then pausing,
“but put those mean ones, those nasty,
inconsiderate bastards in their places
so as not to do harm to the innocent.
But enjoy life.”