I’m in a funny stage of this breast cancer journey. I had my final surgery almost a week ago. All the signs indicate I’m doing well and am on a healthy trajectory. I had gotten quite strong leading up to the final surgery and am finding it challenging to manage yet another recovery period with limited mobility and activity. All that patience and mindfulness practice is well and good and yes, really useful, and yet I still get impatient and confused and sad at times about this whole complicated thing! And I’m so very tired of thinking about myself!
And then there’s poetry. And people! You people are something! I continue to be lifted up and comforted and made to laugh and ponder and embrace life in ways I never imagined possible. Your words are often the best poetry. This morning I bumped into a neighbor on my walk. I shared some of my post surgery worries vis a vis a class I am teaching today (with lots of help) and she simply said “You’re doing what you love and that is healing.”
Thank you, you wonderful people!
Any Morning
by William Stafford
Just lying on the couch and being happy.
Only humming a little, the quiet sound in the head.
Trouble is busy elsewhere at the moment, it has
so much to do in the world.
People who might judge are mostly asleep; they can’t
monitor you all the time, and sometimes they forget.
When dawn flows over the hedge you can
get up and act busy.
Little corners like this, pieces of Heaven
left lying around, can be picked up and saved.
People won’t even see that you have them,
they are so light and easy to hide.
Later in the day you can act like the others.
You can shake your head. You can frown.
KaRene McCulley says:
I know this poem, but haven’t read it for years (maybe decades). Thank you and please be healthy and blessed today in a little piece of heaven.
cookwithwhatyouhave says:
Thank you!
Sally M says:
At those little spaces in time, I think your soul is at peace and you are restful. Best wishes to you and those who “monitor” you. Be well. Grab those little spaces when and where they present. The happy Blessings of the birds are special.
Emily says:
Love this one. William Stafford has so many gems. Thanks for sharing! And a speedy recovery to you!!
EB says:
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Love,
EB
Wendy W says:
Love this. And you!
Carol Boutard says:
Oh Katherine,
I didn’t know this poem and it arrived just when I so needed it. You, and Stafford, came to the rescue. I will spend the day with ‘Stafford, but wishing you were there with me. The lowland water is awash in pelicans. We counted over 45 and stopped counting yesterday. They swim in tandem, gracefully sweeping up anything edible. They sweep down from the sky so gracefully, then land in a whomp right in the middle of the group. We always think of you and Ellis whenever anything wonderful flies through the farm.
Love to your house and especially you, my dear.
cookwithwhatyouhave says:
Thank you Carol! Love the image of the pelicans whomping into the pond. Sending so much love to your house and you my dear!
Amanda says:
Love the poem, Katherine! I am happy for you that you are in a peaceful time in your journey. Sending thoughts your way for continued healing~~~
Ashley says:
Love to you, Katherine. Please let me know when you’re up for another walk or just a visit from sweet Florie.
cookwithwhatyouhave says:
Thank you Ashley! Will do!
Gloria Gostnell says:
Dear Katherine
With the (final) arrival of spring, I send you my wishes for your ease and continued healing. So glad that you are enjoying the poetry of William Stafford, his words have often been a balm for me when I most needed to hear sweetness and truth during hard times. Much love to you as you live into these next weeks of healing.
Gloria
Renee Niquette says:
Katherine, I actually think of you often as our approaches to cooking are so similar.
The poem is beautiful and so introspective.
I pray the coming summer treats you well with continued healing. I have missed
seeing you here and there.
Always cooking and creating with our beautiful local resources. Lately I’m into making
my own ricotta, yogurt and now kefir with my newest discovery Champoeg Creamery
and all their knowledge.
Renee Niquette
Adrian Hale says:
Thank you for sharing this poetry! Big hugs to you!