SAVING GRACES

when the sirens are wailing in my ears
and i can't keep from wondering why i'm here
and the day's too much to bear, i fear
i wanted to get there but wound up here...
...i stop and settle in my mind
on all the space and all the time
spent this summer, these last short days
when i found my peace in subtle ways,
found myself on scenic mountaintops
or floating below clouds in glacial lakes,
back in haunts i thought i'd lost,
playing and singing and dancing
with friends i'd forgotten i'd missed...
it helps me to deal with all of this,
to put one foot in front of the other
without tripping falling spinning.
it keeps my eyes looking forward,
and keeps my fool mouth grinning.
and while i can't convey what
it means to have spent this time,
i'm glad i spent it -
it was worth every dime.