Pink plaid sneakers

Sometimes the small things, like pink plaid sneakers, bring joy and comfort while I am waiting on the world to change or become more defined.

I put on the pink plaid sneakers

From Target

This morning.

I figured they would help me wait

For the lilacs to come full bloom,

The peonies to unknot,

The purple-and-white-striped clematis

To open on the trellis.

I counted sixteen buds.

The sneakers are not what a professional

Would wear.

When I catch them under the desk

Or my legs suddenly cross,

The pink plaid comes into view.

The wait becomes

Bearable.

I know why they jumped

Out of the closet this morning,

Spooked the cat into cat-fits,

Simply demanded to be worn.

There is new life to be had

To be worn

To be obvious

Under my desk

Crossed legs

Pink plaid with a stripe of turquoise

While I wait.