Poetry to start the week…

The Word
    – Tony Hoagland

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 as beautiful, it touches you
as if you had a friend

and sunlight were a present
he had sent you from some place 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.



~

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12 Comments

  1. How did you know this is exactly what I needed to read, right NOW? Amazing. I even have a list to the left of me right now, to which I added “sunlight” for fun. I love your blog; intelligent, inspirational, sane, sensible, stylish, funny, helpful, realistic, imaginative. Brava and thanks!

  2. With all the trials you’ve had lately, you’ve found time to cheer us all with this wonderful poem — so typical of you! Thanks for the beauty — may you live in the sunshine this week!

  3. Lovely poem to start the week. The Autumn sun is shining here in London and I am just off to enjoy it on my bike

  4. Thank you so much for the right poem at the right time. As for car advice, I love my Subaru Outback. Its a very comfortable ride( both in back and in front), has almost no maintenance, and holds a ton of stuff.

  5. A lovely poem, thank you for the reminder to accomplish pleasure, not just tasks. I hope this week goes better for you Pseu.

  6. Thank you for the poem.

    I often use poetry in my coaching work — and this one is perfect for people who are looking for help because they feel overwhelmed. I hope you don’t mind if I share it.