Embracing the Unexpected

Five years ago I would have been upset about today. I had PLANS. I was going to clean the house, turn flower beds for more plants, and finally get to that mending. My PLANS go exactly as I expect every time or else. The day started out as I had planned, and then it took a turn somewhere. I smiled and let it come.

What happens when a plan goes awry? What happens when you say "Yes!" and let the day roll along?

an unexpected embrace

a sore back woke me early today

the air cool and sticky and stifling

the recycling lay strewn across the yard

I felt the twinge of that back

with every paper and carton put back in bin

my feet dug into the prickly wet grass

my hair in a shower knot

I stare at the mending wondering

will I drag the sewing machine up the stairs?

will I change the bobbin four times

or hope the black thread doesn't show

on my red skirt?

the knock at the door sends me running

scattering the ripped skirts and dresses

flinging buttons across the still unmade bed

flowers, would you like shop

for flowers. my treat.

Yes, please. let's get flowers

by grace, off we went

returning with elephant ears

and swirly begonia leaves

and tomato and peppers

and bushy sweet smelling alyssum

returning in time to collect the children

and play in the backyard

with balls and sticks and squeaky swings

and draw on brown paper taped to the fence

inside lay the vacuuming and the dirty sink

the dishes, the paperwork, the unfolded laundry

and winter's blankets and, of course, the mending

on the still unmade bed

and I sit in the lawn and push swings

and sweep away spiders webs and pour

glasses of cold water and

give directions to the toilet.

yes, you're right. this house is messy

I smile in the warmth

of the late spring's warming embrace

and open the windows wider