Make a list
of things you find yourself saying
“I get to”
before you do them.
Those are your
sacred blessings
in life.
Hold them close
and do not let people
paint their colors
and opinions
on your life’s art.
Who cares
what the rest of the world
is doing?
An artist
who enjoys
their work
paints their
own pictures.
Maybe
this season
of motherhood
looks like it’s swallowed me
whole
like Jonah and the whale
but
in fact
it’s my
get to list.
Get to care give
get to give back
get to be patient
and learn patience
get to focus on family
get to make new memories
that my mother made for me
like triggering
a very crafty
St. Patrick’s Day trap
after the children
have gone to sleep
and putting $100
(we really need smaller bills!!!)
in the trap
with a terrible limerick
(that Ollie still found funny!)
written quickly
with a dried-out Sharpie
so I could get to bed
but not before
flipping the dining chairs over
only to pick them back up in the morning
when the leprechaun prank
has played out
and it was time for breakfast.
Ticking off
another ordinary day
on my get to list.