The Life You Have

 

This may not be the day you planned,

may not even be the life you wanted--

but this is the one you have. So wrap

your hands around the warm mug of it,

inhaling the honeyed steam of tea. Pull

the wool sweater of it closer, and relish

whatever protects you against every gust

of cold rushing in. Savor the buttered

toast and creamy sweet potato soup

of it, kissed with a hint of cinnamon

and curry. Switch on the bright floodlight

of your life and watch flurries drift down

in the yard, like a handful of confetti

tossed out over the ragged snowbanks.

--James Crews