What I Want

This poem, from my book of poems in progress, To Open Life Between Us, arose when my dear wife, Susan, asked what I might want for my birthday.

What I Want

You ask what I want for 
my birthday. Another day, 
another veil lifted from the 
habit of my seeing, another
chance to love whatever is 
before me, another way to
calm fear and quiet pain,
another chance to watch
you before you wake as the 
coffee brews and our dog 
stretches, another chance 
to spread the tablecloth of 
acceptance over the table of 
want and serve you tea, all
so we might undress miracle 
of the reality that carries it, 
so I can stop in the moment
between breaths to bring 
you what I’ve always 
known is there.


A Question to Walk With: In your journal or in conversation with a friend or trusted loved one, describe something intangible that you would like to be closer to.