The Word

Down near the bottom

of the crossed-out list
of things you have to do today,

between “green thread”
and “broccoli” you find
that you have penciled “sunlight.”

Resting on the page, the word
is as beautiful, it touches you
as if you had a friend

and sunlight were a present
he had sent you from some place distant
as this morning—to cheer you up,

and to remind you that,
among your duties, pleasure
is a thing,

that also needs accomplishing
Do you remember?
that time and light are kinds

of love, and love
is no less practical
than a coffee grinder

or a safe spare tire?
Tomorrow you may be utterly
without a clue

but today you get a telegram,
from the heart in exile
proclaiming that the kingdom

still exists,
the king and queen alive,
still speaking to their children,

—to any one among them
who can find the time,
to sit out in the sun and listen.

by Tony Hoagland


I read this nearly 7 times since it arrived and every time it says something i failed to see before.  I received this during a dismal weekend. I received this from one of the girls. We used to have such fun together, dunno how i let it all slip away. Totally my fault. Not that i missed them any less. Wrote to them & the messages started pouring in. Maybe there is still something to redeem. 

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