This morning in the park, I threw the ball uphill

But it was so fast, my dog missed it and stayed still

I watched it hang halfway up the roadway, then roll

Suddenly picking up speed, heading straight for hole



- The stormdrain which loomed quite large and ominously

And then I picked up my legs and ran as fast as I could flee

Then got there quite quickly just as it rolled onto the grate

And bent down to pick it up casually as though I wasn't late



But then the ball - which had paused momentarily on edge

Suddenly chose to drop out of sight right from the ledge

And I peered down at it gingerly as it bobbed up and down

Then I looked around at the dog as I donned a big frown



Was it her, or me, who was so much at fault for the error

Did she deliberately miss the throw just to strike terror

Or did I throw it close to the drain just to court disaster

Just so I could then win the battle as befits her master



Or was I deliberately opening up a new chapter in my life

Looking for a place to lose the old, so I could begin new sight

Other things have taken place recently in my life's journey

New insight into my position which has caused new learning



About the way in which I relate to the rest of the world at large

And wakened me up to a new "aliveness" which has hit me hard

So much so, I am dropping the old ball and opening up new roads

Which will lead me to places which heretofore I've only showed



In a never-ending fantasy life vision - where I wanted so to be

And now I'm beginning to see the reality really starts with me

For no matter what has gone on previously in the life that was

When I dropped the ball in the past ... it was only a loose toss



Now when I throw that ball - it will always end up in the flat

For the new turn my life is taking will inevitably see to that

And so I won't worry about dropping the ball ever again

For new light is shining over me to help me see no stain



Christopher W. Thomas

6pm Mon. Oct. 20th, 1997