A Possible Never Ending
by Odin Roark

Adult life starts whether
by one’s first experience
with a 5 star restaurant’s waft of oregano and garlic,

or…

The eagle’s screech on high,
as a distant parent’s voice swells skyward
at a daughter’s little league homer.

or…

A boy’s first job,
the brown bags with milk bottle on the bottom,
Wonder bread on top,
a cheery “Have a nice day, Mrs. Gilbert.”

or…

Discovered independence initiated
by Tropic of Cancer’s ink and paper visions.

or…

A Camp Pendleton off-base Tijuana week-end pass,
with uniform pressed,
marksman medal polished,
Old Spice aroma alight,
reality’s first XXX performance waiting,
painted eyes eliciting compassion
where Penthouse and Playboy pages once ruled.

To recall a boy of discovery,
is to know those still struggling
to find maturity more rewarding…

At least for some holding to the past,
‘til the end.