Upgrade (poem) by Diane Lefer on AuthorsDen

Upgrade
by Diane Lefer → (All Poetry by Diane Lefer)
Rated "G" by the Author.

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is this maturity?
Upgrade The air is soft in Phoenix (PHX) at 4:00 PM and I remember disembarking years ago, (SFO), into the same soft air when trips did not mean business class. I thought it was the San Francisco magic "Flowers in your hair" not just the moment: afternoon, spring. Memories and plans can fix as one. What I expected, what we intended unless the intention, the plan--was all, always, only mine. The adrenaline doesn't change at takeoff or landing, now at McCarran (LAS) where at first the Strip is distant and fools the eye: casinos built to human scale but taxi closer and Mandalay Bay looms a triumph of the human will, higher than the mountains. Spinoza wrote this: if you don't care for others, in time you'll hurt yourself. But I gave up philosophy after college, like binge drinking -- or was it art left behind? The cultivation of taste infringes on someone's freedom and at these heights, a voice tells me to secure mine first before assisting those in need.

Reviewed by Ronald Hull

Reviewed on May 10, 2012

Reminders of Panhandle Park and flights into San Francisco and Phoenix with hot and cold air conditioning. I read Spinoza in college, too. But I have forgotten everything he may have taught me in the course of time. Interesting poem that I haven't a clue as to its point except maybe the title. But I can't see how going to lost wages equates with maturity.'

Ron

Reviewed by Paul Judges

Good work, Diane - well conveyed.