Warm knitted socks
At the end of the day.
Steaming almond lattes
At sunrise.
Soft, furry blankets enfolding me.
Sunlight on my face,
Beaming through window panes,
Seeping into my skin.
Photographs,
Videos,
Old memories from long ago.
Tony Bennett,
Nat King Cole,
Frank Sinatra
Streaming through a smartphone.
Soaking in the tub,
Sweet birch scent,
Drifting off to sleep.
Books long sitting on the shelf,
Untouched and unread,
Now opened and cherished
To the final page.
Faces on a screen,
Some familiar,
Others new.
Voices of my students,
Smiles on their faces,
Fears in their letters,
Solace in their strength.
Gratitude for everyone –
For every small and subtle thing.
In any other time,
Once taken for granted,
In 2020—
Life-giving,
Like breathing itself.
When the world reprises,
And these lyrics no longer play,
May I never forget,
How grateful I am—
For every single small and precious thing,
For every person.
For being alive.
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