Shades of Gray:

I like the way I can see the places
where my fingers repeatedly hit the keys on my key board.
One swift stroke after another.
Sometimes forceful
Sometimes hesitent
Always thoughtful
A testament to the work that I've done
and yet to do.
Just a slightly different shade of gray than when
I took my computer
out of the box
over a year ago.
I've left my mark on them.
Subtle.
Seen only in certain lights
but significant.

And it makes me realize:
Even things that start out new
untouched by time
or worry
or use
or care
will end up
going throughout life
existing, primarily
in shades of gray.

Freshly painted black
or white
at the touch of life
real life
it subsits
in shades of gray.