Up in a Down World

There are times,
and I am not sure
how my mind gets there,
when everything looks the same
as everything else.
When solids and liquids
and gases smear into
a common state--
When all colors
are only color,
and all music
is only sound.
When everything around connects.

In a way I live for those times.

There are other times,
just as hard to find,
when everything's distinct.
When every tree stands alone;
every atom singularly whizzes;
every leaf sways its own path to the ground;
everything happens the only way it can.

In a way I live for those times too,
but it feels more like living through.

In another way
I live for curry and rice pudding;
for parties and beautiful women;
for the emotion of happiness,
and the concept of peace;
for stability and sustainability.

I die for life and live for death.

But more and more...

It's looking like...

We may not have to die

at all.