Elixir Of Youth
Pat Nolan

Distracted by a hair
the archeology of my desk
shifted layer by layer
what great discoveries
wait to be made among
paper thin strata

paper paper everywhere
not a pen to be found

expansiveness of dusky fall day
frost curled leaves early morning
car rooftops spangled wet
an angled light spreads cresting
rising moisture illuminated as pure haze

I have found the elixir of youth
mix with water and
I’m good for another millennium

hot water flavored with dried leaves
hot water flavored with ground roasted beans
hot water alone for that ascetic effect

though these days it’s more
about neurosis than consciousness
I live in my language wear it
like a comfortable pair of jeans
and an old faded t-shirt

chatter rising

out of the void and its silence
comes mind and truth breath brings
life and its aspirant word