Yes

Northern Sky.  Photo by Gary Braasch

the morning is my lamp and I say yes
the rain that dances slowly is a sister of the sun
so I shall smile and eat bright candy
on the funny prismed bow of sister's streaming hair
I will paint the yellow leaves a different hue
and sing forever on the land that is my mother
and is yes

for I am young and I am yes
and I will yes and I shall yes and
let no thought repeal my laughter in the darkness
which is old so like a father who is dying

no gray
for I shall make my world of crystal
that shines brightly on the green
and in the freely flowing waters
of the streams within my dreams
and in the night I'll light a candle
in the promise of a morning and a day
it's as I say:
I'm yes
I'm yes

---

Charles John Pace

Charles died 12 years ago from AIDS.
This poem is a gift to us from his sister Stephanie Pace Marshall.