Tuesday, February 22, 2022

the enabling kitchen sink

 


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)

 

 

 

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