20 - always

For today’s prompt, take the phrase “Always (blank),” replace the blank with a new word or phrase, make the new phrase the title of your poem, and then, write your poem. Possible titles include: “Always on My Mind,” “Always Wrong,” “Always Writing Poems That Don’t Sound as Good the Next Day,” etc.

Always, So Far, Another Day



We get so used to this.
My eyes open, read the titles of the books next to my bed.
And my body there, still - all ten fingers, all ten toes.

Lucky.

And standing.  Every day is a little bit different.
So much the same.  And here - a fleece cover, for the morning.

We are sensitive to it - the degrees of warmth
or cool in the light.  It is always just right.
Just as it should be.

We know, because we get so used to this.
The way November, for us, who have homes,
who have socks and coffee, who don't need
to think about the parables of Jesus to pass
early winter's nighttime hours on the corner
downtown
at 71

- I could use some shoes -

is perfect.  Always.