TWO-STRIKE APPROACH

I am evermore anxious that the future

is pure fiction, and yet I persist

in planning for it. When my son tells me

about the children he will have, I want

to shake him for thinking this hell is fit

for hopes and dreams. I don't. Instead, I smile

and stroke his head. His education

savings plan is growing nicely; it should

mature to six figures. He'll need it. Or won't.

The mortgages are getting paid ahead

of schedule. I'm installing a fifty-year

roof. By my calculations, the houses

should remain above water. They're building

a levee near the lowest-lying one.

All of this is likely crazy, but maybe

it beats doing nothing? I could always swerve.

Look for the fastball. Adjust to the curve.