the enabling kitchen sink
don’t take it for granted as you
become familiar with growing
older.
take time to focus
to realize
to witness
you have been here before, you
will
be here after the plates clunk
one upon another in the cupboard
be here after the cups clink
one upon another in the cupboard
after the dishwasher is tucked
back under
the counter, its familiar trays
clatter as
one scoots above the other
the counter swiped down one more
time
with your favorite maroon
dishcloth
what does a favorite dishcloth reveal
about one whose hands have been
washing dishes two thirds of a
century?
(Bonnie's since 1918) basil leaves
over the sink
the new herb on the windowsill of
a window
that doesn’t open, no lock to
unlatch, yet the window
grants you freedom to reach into a
canyon as
oaks rustle
silence rushes
cypress waves
their unwanted branches nudging
you to
“stay alert!” there is more here
than meets
your eye peering deep for
deer Dog Ava hears and smells.
explore,
connect
wait.
don’t
act as if you are alone. you are never alone
the elements of nature crowd out
your singleness.
* * *
(Inspired by David Whyte’s poem, Everything is Waiting For You)
Joan
Connor 02/17/2021
From the prompt: Alertness is the hidden discipline of
familiarity.
Whyte_Everything-is-Waiting-for-You.pdf
(aspeninstitute.org)
