Poetry for You: Otherwise, by Jane Kenyon

Sometimes it’s nice to be reminded that our lives, right here, right now, are perfect.

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Keep positive affirmations for yourself close at hand.

Otherwise
by 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.

Jane died of cancer at 48. She is one of my favorite poets.

from Otherwise, 1996
Graywolf Press, St. Paul, Minn

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