Catching my breath
In between meals I stare at sunlight
I’m sitting by my table, the afternoon light from outside falling in. My small bowl empty with a few sparse grains of quinoa. Lily is off on her mat finally paying attention to her toys. She has stopped noticing me. She’s busy with her “ya ya ya,” “coyacoya” sounds, her own babble speak. I have the privilege of not moving for a few minutes. Just before I was making lunch for Lily. She had a few bites, but was mostly not in the mood. She drank milk earlier and ate snacks, so it could be that I timed it too early. She walks over to the kitchen. I hear her drop her canteen which has water. It’s the one that doesn’t leak, so I can rest easy. We’re lucky she loves drinking water. Her walking stride has increased speed as she chases a yellow mushroom toy rolling on the floor. She flips through her book on our coffee table, relegated to the side. She even takes a moment to flip through one of my heavy books, tickling the labels I left. “Coyacoya.” My legs are on a rest break as if they were on the beach for the first time in years. My breath is light and airy, and outside it doesn’t seem like Fall, but the sunny light of June. And yet a moment later she’s on my knee screeching. It’s time. A smelly diaper has appeared. One must abandon the silence once more.
~
Yesterday, we were out in the yard walking. I set a picnic blanket to read and sky-watch. But Lily wanted to cat-watch, mostly chasing the stray cat, Wilfred. She never quite got to him (light pats) because he kept prancing around or going up to our small deck to enter the kitchen. It was a good way for her to practice walking. She has this high-pitched laughter mixed with breathing every time she sees the cat. She really can’t believe this wild creature exists.
Until next time!
Cynthia
Upcoming Performances
Electric Euphoria - Featured Poet/Comedian
I’ll be at as you are on Nov. 6 at 7pm in DC reading some poems and telling some jokes.
Free Event!
New publications:
If all the trees were pens Anthology - Created by Sasa Aakil who also runs the Open Mic at the American Poetry Museum
Two Poems: Starry Night | A thing to be shaped
What I’m reading?
The Book of Light - Lucille Clifton
Coachella Elegy - Christian Gullette