Things you have to do today.

poetry, , , ,

THE WORD

Down near the bottom
of the crossed-out list
of things you have to do today,

between “green thread”
and “broccoli,” you find
that you have penciled “sunlight.”

Resting on the page, the word
is beautiful. It touches you
as if you had a friend

and sunlight were a present
he had sent from someplace distant
as this morning—to cheer you up,

and to remind you that,
among your duties, pleasure
is a thing

that also needs accomplishing.
Do you remember?
that time and light are kinds

of love, and love
is no less practical
than a coffee grinder

or a safe spare tire?
Tomorrow you may be utterly
without a clue,

but today you get a telegram
from the heart in exile,
proclaiming that the kingdom

still exists,
the king and queen alive,
still speaking to their children,

—to any one among them
who can find the time
to sit out in the sun and listen.

–Tony Hoagland

In the Wooded Marshes of Giverny, Autumn Light – by Blanche Hoschedé Monet

6 thoughts on “Things you have to do today.”

  4. I’m sending this to my extended family and to all my friends. Very important thoughts. Wonderful poem, almost shocking in its simplicity, its everyday language and conversational tone, Thanks for this, Gretchen, and for all such messages.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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