Tiny Little Joys

from Out With Lanterns, a daily poetry practice

       Inspired by this New York Times article about happiness 

Most mornings it’s that first sip of coffee
or remembering a dream and writing it down.
It’s scribbling in a notebook before opening screens.
It’s listening to birds busy at the feeder, asking Merlin to identify.
It’s resetting the kitchen after a cooked meal, 
re-folding the blankets on the couch, fixing the pillows.
It’s the dog’s excitement when she sees the leash. 
It's walking outside as fog rolls out and sun rolls in.
It’s having a plan for the day.
It’s declaring that it’s quitting time. 
It’s the smell of rain on the road.
It’s the taste of sweet cereal and cold milk.
It’s a book and a nap and a cool breeze from an open window. 
It’s remembering to give myself a break sometimes.
It’s my daughters both at home, laughing downstairs. 
It’s remembering that some days, you just have to list your joys. 

Photo by Dawid Zawiła on Unsplash