Bother

One thing at a time... I tell my clients. One thing at a time... I tell myself.

I thought I’d written today

Then realized

That was yesterday.

The grief has begun its way

Into my head.

Oh

There it is.

I thought I’d escaped it.

Oh bother

I think

Like Winnie the Pooh

Even like Eeyore.

This timing is unfortunate.

The garbage and recycling trucks

Make their way through the neighborhood.

The cats on opposite chairs

Glare at each other.

So far I have decorated

By hanging a cowbell on the front door,

Filled a large glass vase

With nuts

Even perched a reindeer

On top.

That’s it.

I thought I’d written.

Now I have.

Oh Bother

It was a good workshop.  I reconnected with people I have not seen for awhile.  I met some new ones.  I learned the difference between mindfulness and grounding.  I came away with at least six more things to read and research.  Then came the question at the end.

What are two things

You’ll apply from this workshop

When you return to work

On Monday?

I got stuck:

On the two things,

On returning to work,

Stuck even

On Monday.

Other than these

Minor things

I recognized

It had the bones

Of a good question.

Other people in the room

Dutifully answered.

Me

I sat stuck on

Two things:

I had only one

Or possibly ten or twenty;

On returning to work:

My work never stops

Really;

On Monday:

Most often a day of rest

For me.

Other than these

Minor things,

It was a good question.

Like so many times before,

My answer did not fit

The question’s specifics.

So often I find this:

My answers quickly move

Beyond the specific question.

Oh Bother

To quote Winnie the Pooh.

Oh Bother.