I'm moderately happy about the way things are going,
That the wars are winding down at least for now.
I'm moderately pleased that it's cold but isn't snowing,
That occasionally I experience the principles of Tao.
I even have it in me to accept the way things are,
Happy to assume that existence is enough:
Coffee in the AM, wine, Netflix, my guitar --
My go-to panaceas when the waves get rough.
Though my father tried to teach me, I never learned to sail.
I think sailing was the Tao for my Dad.
But every time we headed out the wind would fail;
Recalling his disappointment makes me sad.
But ironically, it's the calm, afterall, that sets me free
Especially when I'm out there, like my Dad, on the open sea.
