Yes

It could happen any time, tornado,

earthquake, Armageddon. It could happen.

Or sunshine, love, salvation.

It could, you know. That’s why we wake

and look out––no guarantees

in this life.

But some bonuses, like morning,

like right now, like noon,

like evening.

- William Stafford

I open the windows

What I wanted

wasn’t to let in the wetness.

That can be mopped.

 

Nor the cold.

There are blankets.

 

What I wanted was

the siren, the thunder, the neighbor,

the fireworks, the dog bark.

 

Which of them didn’t matter?

 

Yes, this world is perfect,

all things as they are.

 

But I wanted

not to be

the one sleeping soundly, on a soft pillow,

clean sheets untroubled,

dreaming there still might be time,

 

while this everywhere crying.

--Jane Hirshfield