#17

Gratitude

I want
a long walk,
David Whyte's voice,
and some kombucha.
That's it. That's all.
That's all I want right now.

But, truth be told,
there is more I want.

I want my family and rain,
avocados and
blueberries fallen into silver buckets.
The sound of the ocean on the shore
at night through the window
and my mother's voice
again and again and again.

Did I mention blueberries?
Friends that give bear hugs
and teach me to put on make-up;
a nephew
just like Quinn;
lobsters, of course,
and the sun,
warm,
drenching my skin.

I want snow and
silence so quiet it hurts your ears and
church bells, real ones;
hot chocolate, the real stuff.
Grampy's hands and Barbara's words.
Everything about Grampy.
Trees good for climbing, grass to walk barefoot in,
sage brush, piñon, lilacs, beech, birch, hemlock and willow.

Tea with honey
and your face staring at me
knowing there is nothing in the world
I could want
or need more
than that.
Truly, than love.

Also, my father's voice
stern and then joking
making me laugh;
And one of his lectures. And just him.
There is no end!

Mud,
children,
red lipstick,
and water to float in.
Baths,
waves,
sails filled with wind
and love,
always love.

I want-
this life
Mine.
All of it.
How could I ask for anything more?


-Llora H. Kressmann