This Step

Somewhere

around the middle of your life

you understand that

it is not the destination.

Nor is it what is waiting

where the road turns next.

It is the step

that you are taking now

or maybe what has stopped you.

It is this soft light, sifting

through the leaves,

the red-winged blackbird

calling from the mountain-ash.

It is the secret whispered

in this breeze.

this breath.