KATHRYN DONOHUE
ACCIDENT
For instance, I could have been a firefighter. I could have
taught the muscles of my neck to stay relaxed beneath a siren.
I could have learned to breathe smoke, walked into a flame.
Any minute now, I might close my eyes to admire
just the contours of calm expansive darkness.
I could have been an Atheist.
I could have been an astronaut,
but I stand here pointing to things that are not crystal or liquid to show
how they are sweet. I learned this walking out the front door of a house
that smelled like embers, with wind chimes
sounding from the back porch.