Be There, David J. Rothman (December 2025)

Be There

There is more to life than being free.
Or rather, freedom is something to use wisely,
So when you need to you can be a person
Who knows how to love. Free, choose what you might
Rather not: pack a bag, pull out the plastic,
Tell whoever you have to “I’m out.”
Embrace a day’s jet lag
And just get there, do what you need to do,
Because all our mistakes and failures,
All the stupid suffering,
Can pale before the unknown good
Of making that brief call to say “I’m coming.
I’ll be there by two.” Although it may not change a thing,
Be there. Buck up. Be an adult. Show the fuck up.