Ordinary Substance
Our implausibly tough luck
suggests the floor is lava,
the apple is poison,
the underbed monster
is on the loose
yet proves, time after time,
benevolent strangers,
enchanted gardens, and
magic potions are also real
each entirely made of
an ordinary substance—
Gratitude.
Don’t imagine some
sweet scented gauzy thing
held together with whispers.
Her power grows muscled
with use. It can be summoned
instantly, even during the most
wretched trials.
Especially then.
Gratitude’s face may be bittersweet,
but her feet
are on the ground.
Try to knock her down,
she will rise for another round.
She will rise and rise and rise.
You will rise with her.
*
Laura Grace Weldon lives on a small ramshackle farm where she works as a book editor, teaches writing workshops, and maxes out her library card each week. Laura served as Ohio’s 2019 Poet of the Year and is the author of four books. Connect with her at lauragraceweldon.com and on the twits @earnestdrollery.
Oh hallelujah! I want to shout Amen! I know the deep truth of this. I love how you share it so playfully. Thank you thank you, Laura Grace Weldon. You rock.
Laura, this is exquisitely written. Each line is a gem. Congratulations.