M A R G I E  The American Journal of Poetry     www.margiereview.com

Published Annually in the Fall                                     MARGIE  P. O. BOX 250, CHESTERFIELD, MO 63006-0250

Once again I walk through dry leaves

up the hill in back of the house,

only this time there is a trail I opened

and lined with a curbing of branches,

and this time I am wearing brand new boots

with silver hooks for the laces.

The dog falls behind or runs up ahead—

acolyte or scout—

and when we reach the crest

I sit down lightly on the tonnage of a rock

and do not leave to go back down

until I have monitored the progress of a squirrel,

removed the caps from several acorns,

and examined the grey-green of the lichen.

I wonder if this is what they mean by seize the day?

BILLY COLLINS is the author of six collections of poetry, including Nine Horses, Sailing Around the Room, Picnic, Lightning, and Questions About Angels.  He is a Distinguished Professor of English at Lehman College of the City University of New York.  Recently, Mr. Collins served as the Poet Laureate of the United States.