i pour the coffee

while the kitchen clock

that ticks too loud tocks

 

and settle into my

comfortable chair

while you sit in your

spot that is closer

to the window.

 

and although we

don’t say all that much

we are aware that the

 

other is there. and i glance

outside often as the

morning rays paint

pictures in multicolor

beyond the windowpane

 

and think to myself

the importance of things

like these,

these rituals.

 

moments that mark

the days, that slow

the galloping pace

of time. the anchors

that remind us that

we are right now,

right here and

introduce

peace.

 

Heather Pound 2023

Photo by Gaelle Marcel on Unsplash