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.

John Ashbery

  The New Spirit (excerpt) I thought that if I could put it all down, that would be one way. And next the thought came to me that to leave a...