poetry wednesday: you know that otherwise is coming.

From my hospital bed to you, an old favorite by poet 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.

—Jane Kenyon