One grows into the circles near at hand
where friends and family will often touch
the needs unstated as one's views expand
while yet to ponder innocence not much.

One changes in an instant near at heart
when fate reduces possibility
of safety as one's world is torn apart
while one can ponder but agility.

One yields to troubled silence near at tongue
when usefulness must take another shape
to steady solving problems from high strung
while ponder thankfulness helps soothe past scrape.

A void is always just within one's view
wherein to ponder emptiness anew.

- Robert Stone, 20 May 2012