each choice changes
the world around us
all bobbing on ripples
from even the smallest
unthought wishes
  of strangers
or the loved

perennials are a choice
  over vibrant annuals
  whose only surprise
  is remaining
longer than expected
often popping up
devotedly familiar
in homey hues
whether skipping
years, seasons waiting
noticed or not

   nuts, their oil
lubricate vessels
rather ruin oxy-
dative stressors
  that block
  red flows
systems burn
keeping us going
to die one way
   or another
regardless still
down the road

feeding the power
   we need
   to exist
body buzzes
chemicals, electro
mechanical spirit
  emergent
  mind
processes patterns
atomically rules
  based, in
rigid uncertainty
most probable

some men, losing
themselves in doing
  what must be
done

  carry the hard
decision, as their own
price - for the value
that meaning demands