Barbetta-Tenth Muse

I think it is a most appropriate time to reexamine purpose.
Here is a personal perspective.
Caretakers

We are caretakers
That is what we are
That is why we are
That is our job:
To take care of where we are
To support and sustain
To enrich and enhance
To contribute and create.

To satisfy our basic responsibility
We must tend life:
The buds and blossoms
Hopes and dreams
Wonder and realization
The air and water that sustain all.

There are no levees
that insulate us from the floods of pain
There is no wall that can isolate us
from the communal joy of a fulfilled promise
We are simply and profoundly caretakers
That is our job
That is our collective immortality.

jlB- Copyright: John Lawrence Barbetta
Edited post-7 July 2026
just "Take Care!" me

Time Keeper:
There's still time! Maybe, THIS time?

Next Time
I will ride the roller coaster
Once
Before I am too old to know the fear
and nauseous consequence
I will dive to explore the coral reef
Twice
Once young
Once old
That I may better sense
all I have seen and felt.
Next Time
I will kiss those I love
Many Times
with greater passion
That they may know
without doubt or reservation
the unfathomable depth
of joy I feel to share
their sweet company.
Next Time
I will be more reckless.

jlB-
Copyright: John Lawrence Barbetta
Edited post-12 June 2026
Happy THIS Time!
just"The Old and the Reckless" me