he kept a little notebook
in the locked glovebox
of every car he owned
recording each fill-up
inking the mileage math
he kept filled-up ledgers
preserved in his office
alongside longer lists
daily highs and lows
recorded, compared
with relative birthdates
and deathdates
plotting his chances
before they ran out
he kept the tank
three quarters full
rotated the tires
counted the change
stopped smoking in old age
started swimming instead
a lifetime accounting
for chances untaken
for wishes unsaid
About katemccarrollmoore
Kate Moore’s passion is literacy, and she serves as a mentor teacher and staff developer throughout the greater Bay Area. Kate served three terms as the City of San Ramon's Poet Laureate (2012-2018); she also teaches poetry writing workshops for children and adults. Kate holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership for Social Justice from California State University, East Bay, an M.A. in Teacher Leadership from St. Mary’s and a B.A. in English Education from SUNY Albany. She and Bob Moore are the proud parents of four beautiful grown daughters, and the smitten grandparents of eight beautiful children who fill them with hope for the future.
KateMcCarrollMoore 
yep that’s big Wally—–just great
fabulous esp. for a bleeding heart
Robert C. Moore
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