We are plagued with wants, yearning for what isn’t in our grasp. The idea of contentment is dismissed because our gaze is toward what isn’t, instead of tasting the glory of those treasures that already fill our days. I struggle with restlessness, but to calm myself, I tend to tilt in the direction of focusing on those ordinary joys that inhabit my life. When I read Jane Kenyon’s poem, Otherwise, I let out a sigh of relief because her prose focuses on this mantra: appreciating your everyday, because one day it might be different, something otherwise.
Otherwise
by Jane Kenyon
I got out of bed
on two strong legs.
It might have been
otherwise. I ate
cereal, sweet
milk, ripe, flawless
peach. It might
have been otherwise.
I took the dog uphill
to the birch wood.
All morning I did
the work I love.
At noon I lay down
with my mate. It might
have been otherwise.
We ate dinner together
at a table with silver
candlesticks. It might
have been otherwise.
I slept in a bed
in a room with paintings
on the walls, and
planned another day
just like this day.
But one day, I know,
it will be otherwise.
*This post is in honor of National Poetry Month, where I discuss a specific poet or poem that resonates with me. I started the series with Rediscovering Poetry, my return voyage to the poetic world.
Image: The Tree by ***Karen via Flickr
Welcome! I am a lawyer turned freelance writer, essayist, and editor. On staff at Literary Mama and the co-founder and co-editor of the literary journal, The Sunlight Press, my essays and reported work have appeared in The Washington Post, The Lily, Saveur, Civil Eats, Brain, Child, ESPN and elsewhere. I am currently at work on a memoir on grief and culture and how it provides perspective on life’s ordinary graces. I invite you to appreciate the ordinary with me. I hope my daily practice of seeing the magic in the mundane helps you celebrate and find more of these moments in your life too.
Jane Kenyon is one of my favorites. This and Let Evening Come often run through my head. xox
Thanks, Lindsey, for bringing those two poems to my attention. xo
I love this one…so much of the beauty of life that we take for granted. Thank you for sharing.
Welcome, Jennifer.
It is a poignant reminder. I believe it is a worthwhile exercise to read this poem daily – it encourages us to acknowledge the beauty of the everyday.
A wonderful reminder to be appreciative of what we have while we still have it!
I agree. Her words encourage us to embrace the glory of now.
One day after the next, you keep pulling put my most tried and true favorites. I love the way your own words embrace this one.
Thank you, Jena. I’ve enjoyed exploring poetry this month and sharing some of the words that resonate with me the most.
That poem is just beautiful xo
Yes. I love it so much.
Lovely poem !
Thanks, Ayala.
Ooh, I love that. I have so much trouble living in the present and enjoying what I have. I often think about what else I want, or worse, that all of this will end.
I’ve had those thoughts too. I try to remind myself to sink into the present. These words help. xo
I have not read any of Jane Kenyon’s work. Thank you for introducing me via this lovely poem. I often have to remind myself to enjoy the ordinary moments because they are really quite extraordinary.
Jackie – I am so glad I had the pleasure of introducing Jane Kenyon’s work to you. Her words are exquisite. I hope you check out her collection.
And for her, one day, it was indeed otherwise. Her husband wrote of their life together and her illness. It is worth reading.