I’ve always been drawn to Jane Kenyon’s poem “Otherwise.” Her words help me to stop and reflect upon what’s happening in the moment. How often do we not pay attention and appreciate the little things in our daily lives? Kenyon wrote,
“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
candle sticks. 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.”
I’d like to borrow Kenyon’s words as a prompt for a Writing is Good Medicine® exercise. Take a moment and ask, “What are the little things that I need to pay attention to?”
Follow the rules: write what comes to mind; do not cross out or erase; forget grammar and punctuation; and stop at 5 minutes.
Please feel free to share your writing in the blog’s comment section.
Anna
Thank you for this. Beautifully necessary to contemplate.
joann roth oseary
Celia Engel Bandman, A woman like no other!
Vicki Dejnozka
I love this and it is so true. We so easily forget.