Empty Nest

and the answer is

compassion

yes compassion

but that shit is hard — must have been less assholes in Siddhartha’s time

never get so much as a smile sometimes

unguided by light of any kind

unaware

of the ground of all being

unexceptional

in the glow of the idiot screen

indulging

in ignorance

will never lead to joy

let alone

the Joy

the awakening

the restoration of simple pleasure call it what you will

or call it nothing

there’s not a pill more poisonous than our own lack of attention

watching bubbles rise

thru 20 ounces of beer

like an ancient fucking miracle — never had an orgasm

that wasn’t fleeting

so let’s stay at this table dear

could talk about trophies and certificates

about making the grade

about cute homemade cards for Grammy