Otherwise

"In the Kitchen" Brita Granström

Otherwise

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.

Jane Kenyon

from Poems to Live By in Uncertain Times, Joan Murray 

I've had a couple of events happen recently that made me realize just how close we are to having things be "otherwise". It's something worth reflecting on, that the things we did and saw and people we spent time with - might have been otherwise. That car might not have stopped in time, it might not have been so easy to move or take a breath. I hate cooking dinner? But my arms and hands work well together, and I have food to cook. These are tremendous gifts. Kenyon goes through the small events of her day as if counting her blessings. That's what counting blessings means - seeing clearly that things might be otherwise.