Take this small spoon for salt—
a tiny serving in morning for waking,
and another for protection. Toss some
into the wind, spread some over your
wintery skin. Spring is just arriving—
the windows will open and our eyes
will see far into what the world can be.
But for now take this salt, and then,
some sugar for the spring sun rising
as the first thrush calls from the forest.
Take the sky’s wide berth for your own
singing ground, for your crying room.
They belong together, this sugar, this salt.
One is the low music you hear of wild birds
on the wind; the other, the balm that falls
afterward, shimmering over your skin.
You might be at home, but you are not alone.
What remains during these tense times is ACW’s commitment to building spaces for healing together. Through weekly writing prompts and posted responses, new online classes, and the online display of PoemVillage, ACW is continuing to bring together community members like you during isolation and uncertainty.
Keeping ACW strong in these tense times now rests on the shoulders of faithful supporters like you. So, you are invited to give a gift of any amount. All gifts are significant in keeping ACW alive and well, so when this is all over ACW will be ready to re-launch the important programming you count on.
Salt and then sugar. Speaks very beautifully to life; to what life is, has been and will be. Thank you!
Thanks William. So appreciate your comments. Interesting how good the two taste together too!
This is beautiful! I especially like the idea of having my own “singing ground, and crying room.” These are essential. I love the last three lines! What an image “shimmering over your skin is.”
Thanks Gail. And I know you have some gorgeous images of your own as well : )