Javier The Poet

Javier the Poet

Yesterday we were visited by Javier. He was looking for an Easter lamb, but I had to tell him ours will be born in April and aren’t ready till late summer or early fall.

 As his daughter waited in the Ford Ranger pickup, Javier and I chatted and I found out he is an out of work builder. He has worked for several firms, for up to 7 years at a time, but now things have slowed down that there is no building going on at all.

 I urged Javier not to despair, and immediately his eyes glowed with a certain glory. No, no, he wouldn’t despair. Things are rough, but they will get better.

 I said he and his daughter were welcome to stop by any time and check about a lamb or just visit. I asked him if he was raised with animals and he smiled broadly. Yes, yes, he is from Mexico and his father had cattle and he has even had chickens in his little village now, but he is sure the neighbors don’t care for that. In fact, he owns a horse. He bought it when he was working and it was probably a big mistake. But even now, when he is feeling very bad about things, he goes out to the other side of DeKalb, where the horse is kept, and in just a little while with that great animal, all his cares melt away. He puts his daughter on the horse and they enjoy life together. 

We don’t have to travel far to find poets. We just need patience. We need only listen to the soulful dreams of accidental companions along life’s way.