I read two different “poem a day” subscriptions — one from Poetry magazine and one from a poet named George Bilgere. I really enjoy both, and send them occasionally to someone who seems like they would enjoy them too (not a lot of people in my circles read poetry, but …). Today, the poem a day was 1. named something I didn’t understand “The Compline” and 2. was long — I really prefer shorter, pithier poetry. And I was on an all-day training. And, and. Anyway — I deleted the poem without reading it.

Then! A friend who has two kids my kids’ ages (one of which shares the same name as one of my children) sent it to me and talked about how powerful it was and shared about her children — I ALWAYS feel like I’m the one sending her poetry, and it felt so good to have her reach out and send it to me, and then I felt guilt! I had to confess I had deleted it without reading it — and then — when I read it (and it was NOT that long! sheesh!) I was so powerfully moved. I felt really lucky to have people like Ann in my life, who read poetry for the same reasons I do — to find the magic and power in the mundanity and pain of everyday life.

The last line of the poem is about how all we’re asking (God, in this poem) is just for ‘more’ … ‘more.’ And with all of the loss swirling around Jason’s and my life recently, it just really hit hard. And how with my children, really, all I ever do want is — more. More time, more happiness, more joy (those are synonyms, I know). Anyway — grateful for friends and poetry today.