if all the leaves

on the tree

were horrible things

each a piece of the hurt you feel

that wished itself

something else   someone else   somewhere else

each a bone in your throat   

a needle in your eye   

a sliver under your nail

if each were this   and only one   only one leaf

expressed perfect joy

was perfect itself   green and whole   unblemished   would it be enough

~

this is the question lin asks me   

i say yes

because that is life encapsulated

she thinks otherwise   that such a life

would not be worth living   

i agree in principle   but having all of eternity

to contemplate the right or wrong of it   

i stand by my affirmation

`