Thinking of Jane Kenyon, I realize there is another poem of hers, I want to share. I hope I am not overdoing the poetry, though now perhaps you are out buying books of your own. Perhaps, your holiday gift list includes Stanley Kunitz's "The Wild Braid," and "Risking Everything," edited by Roger Housden.
Otherwise
Jane Kenyon
I got out of bed
on two strong legs.
It might have been
otherwise. I
ate
cereal, sweet
milk, ripe, flawless
peach. It might
have been
otherwise.
I took the dog uphill
to the birch wood.
All morning I
did
the work I love.
At noon I lay down
with my mate. It might
have been otherwise.
We
ate dinner together
at a table with silver
candlesticks. It might
have
been otherwise.
I slept in a bed
in a room with paintings
on the walls,
and
planned another day
just like this day.
But one day, I know,
it
will be otherwise.
from Otherwise, 1996