My friend David says
he doesn't like surprises
maybe because he's from Chicago
and maybe it's been true for him
that what has shown up unexpectedly
has rarely be good news
but I've a different take
I say the the soul loves a surprise
and so this evening when a small
brown bag appeared on our front porch
I thought who, what and why and will it
be - I hope- for me
and sure enough inside the bag
a book of poems
hardbound, lovely
Ledger by Jane Hirschfield
and in the cover a short note
my neighbor Michael saying that
he left it with a smile
so now as I anticipate the many pleasures
and surprises that I know this book will hold
my soul is dancing