The sky was grey and gold overlooking Crystal Spring Farms  

On the last day that I drove by  

We had a conversation over gelato  

Because you were tired and overworked 

I’ve had this happen to me many times and I’m sure that you have too. You are having a Socratic-style seminar and after biting your cheek for a while, you finally grow the courage to share your wisdom with the class. You have been sitting on your insight for the past 4 minutes before realizing that it’s actually worth sharing and you aren’t wasting anyone’s time by opening your mouth (which is something you worry about an awful lot even though you shouldn’t).

Disappointment and error strike at the worst of times,

Always creeping up within the dead of night; you feel as if you committed a crime.

Up above the iced-over pavement, crowning itself where the birds fly, an evergreen tree stands.

Triumphant, stable, and able to be climbed upon by way of both feet and hands.