Having Come This Far by James Broughton

 
I've been through what my through was to be
I did what I could and couldn't
I was never sure how I would get there
 
I nourished an ardor for thresholds
for stepping stones and for ladders
I discovered detour and ditch
 
I swam in the high tides of greed
I built sandcastles to house my dreams
I survived the sunburns of love
 
No longer do I hunt for targets
I've climbed all the summits I need to
and I've eaten my share of lotus
 
Now I give praise and thanks
for what could not be avoided
and for every foolhardy choice
 
I cherish my wounds and their cures
and the sweet enervations of bliss
My book is an open life
 
I wave goodbye to the absolutes
and send my regards to infinity
I'd rather be blithe than correct
 
Until something transcendent turns up
I splash in my poetry puddle
and try to keep God amused.

~ from Special Deliveries, New and Selected Poems 
(Broken Moon Press, 1990)
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Reusing Words by Hal Sirowitz