Obelisks

PEAR — 4–22–21

Sometimes it’s hard to say whether the markers,
Tally up or down the distance between here
And

Where?
The obelisk or legend plays its role in keeping track
Of where we are in contrast to the next or last
Stepping
Stone.
The rise beyond the rural road is cloistered,
Barring Sun from peeking through a

Solid arbor weave in happy shades of green.

And likewise, where we’ve been — a lonely stretch
Extending further than our memory can hear
In every case refuses to declare

An incremental progress point.
A quotient
Can’t be measured when the dividend
Is merely an abstraction.

Thus, life will relegate both you and me
To be at one such milestone.

It’s longitude and latitude are certain in their place.

But I have no intent to dig more holes to plant my feet.
Quite contrary to that, I’ve made a treaty
With the Past.
I have agreed
To let it rest there languidly in unrelenting sun
Beneath a bright umbrella with a cocktail by my side.