"Otherwise" by Jane Kenyon

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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. 

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