Emily speaks

to me, yet again

severe storm risk looms

early morning lawns are mowed

weeds are whacked

walks are walked

runs are ran

forgotten by all but one

an unexpected one, at that

kindness is still kindness

remembering

what might have been

could have been

should have been

*

onward, regardless…

it’s very early in the A.M.

and sleep refuses to take me

I jot down answers to a poetry prompt

& in the quiet stillness of our sunroom

I giggle at one or two of them

wildfire smoke still obscures a clear view

microscopic particulates wreak havoc —

mis ojos, my upper respiratory system

dew point is more favorable today

but, given the haze, I choose to remain indoors

there’s a poet I know who shared something she’d found

a fantastic poem she has no recollection having written

details only she would know or care to cast about

*

its verses convey a voice unlike her normal fare

she recognized that straight away

as did we, her faithful poetry companions

*

how to regain this same tone, this sense of freewriting

she asks, hoping we can guide her back to this unknown place

I tap the side of her head, gently, tell her friend, it’s all in here