NO FOOL

by Bryan Borland

I’m no April’s fool,
no brat of entitlement,
no for-granted-taker,
I recognize happiness,
fleeting happiness,
that scruffy nomad, usually undependable,
usually here today gone today,
usually a kleptomaniac
with a backpack full of other people’s regalities,
pieces of the jumbled kingdoms of fallen princes.

Instead he’s camped out
on our living room floor
near seven years now
having cocktails and singing along,
drunk and in love with a
cup that’s half full
and we keep pouring the good stuff.

Always one for a steal,
this kid with a tendency to travel,
he ain’t going nowhere.

© Bryan Borland