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 in this day.
But one day, I know,
it will be otherwise.
Release
Dike Drummond
Perhaps the greatest
gift of age
is the skill and wisdom
to release the gilded cage
I built from others expectationsMother, father, job description
role models, heroes,
save the world
all the outrages I battled along the wayNow as my ember cools a bit
I can let go of the hissy fit
and spit out this strange bit between my teethShake the reins from my neck,
give myself permission
to care so much more
than obligation can derive
about so much less,
yet vastly more important.
You will never be more beautiful than you are today
and we will never be here again
~~ Brad Pitt as Achilles in "Troy"“Be who you are and say what you feel,
because those who mind don't matter
and those who matter don't mind”~~ Dr. Seuss