Photo courtesy of Paul (Dex)
Otherwise
I got out of bed
on two strong legs.
It might have been
otherwise. I ate
cereal, sweet
milk, ripe, flawless
peach. It might
have been otherwise.
I took the dog uphill
to the birch wood.
All morning I did
the work I love.
At noon I lay down
with my mate. It might
have been otherwise.
We ate dinner together
at a table with silver
candlesticks. It might
have been otherwise.
I slept in a bed
in a room with paintings
on the walls, and
planned another day
just like this day.
But one day, I know,
it will be otherwise.
Jane Kenyon

This is one of my favorite Kenyon poems – it is especially poetic knowing how young she died.
So evocative and touching, and something I think we all need to remember. Thanks for posting this.
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing this.
Really beautiful…
lovely poem ,thank you for sharing it ,all the best stu
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for posting–that made my day.
I have a book of her essays that I keep starting and leaving unfinished; one day I hope it will be otherwise. (Thanks for posting this!)