Jane Kenyon


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.

D. H. Lawrence

 from Pansies THE WHITE HORSE The youth walks up to the white horse, to put its halter on and the horse looks at him in silence. They are s...