Dana Gioia

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You are here: Home / Poems / 99 Poems / Progress Report

Progress Report

It’s time to admit I’m irresponsible.

I lack ambition.  I get nothing done.

 

I spend the morning walking up the fire road.

I know every tree along the ridge.

 

Reaching the end, I turn around. There’s no point

to my pilgrimage except the coming and the going.

 

Then I sit and listen to the woodpecker

tapping away.  He works too hard.

 

Tonight I will go out to watch the moon rise.

If only I could move that slowly.

 

I have no plans.  No one visits me.

No need to change my clothes.

 

What a blessing just to sit still–

a luxury only the lazy can afford.

 

Let the dusk settle on my desk.

No one needs to hear from me today.

Filed Under: 99 Poems, Poems