Recently, I Wrote

Recently, I wrote about twenty-

Five years ago next August when

Things were topsy-turvy and internal

Compasses were spinning out of

Control, so it was good to think

In terms of four lines at a time like

The four seasons, and round things

Like the moon and steady, reliable

Circles of time and direction, round

And round, externals one could imagine

And actually look at to stop the dizzy-

Ness in order to lend a little stability

And dependability and predictability

To minds bouncing off of walls.

However, as it turns out Magnetic

North isn’t the same as True North

And a bit of calculating depending on

Where one happens to be at a particular

Time, say the degree difference for

Someone in Zeeland, Michigan is

Crucial so one doesn’t wind up in

Lake Michigan without a touring kayak

Instead of the intended destination of

The Sleeping Bear Dunes, and the tick,

Tick, ticking of the clock Isn’t perfect either.

Otherwise, there wouldn’t be a need for Leap

Year and my friend Phil wouldn’t be just seven-

Teen while I’ll be sixty-eight even though

We were born in the same year. But

A compass and topographical map and

Some rudimentary skills in orienteering

And a good, old Swiss Army watch will

Still do in a pinch in case the satellite is just

Off kilter or the battery runs down in the GPS

Leaving one lost in the lurch.