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.

 


TYPO 13