At the Rim

May 27

The rim of the coffee cup

Matters to me, the most

The smooth texture of warm baked earth

That once was gently held

Between the potter’s bare hands

Shaped with a loving purpose

Where my lips now kiss the liquid good morning

Greeting the day in silence

Where my nose gathers the scents of my ritual

Flushing me with anticipatory joy

Where my eyes stare into the middle distance

Marinating me in the sauce

Made of last night’s dreams & today’s possibilities

Where my fingers wrap around

the top of the sacred vessel

Like how I took communion as a child—

Carefully cupped to where my thumbs &

fingertips touch

Here in the morning at the rim of my coffee cup

I kneel before the Universe

Gratefully in awe of the lip of this new day

To begin again—

Awake,

Alive,

Alert to the sensation,

I am already kissed by Life

**first published in a collection Poetry Corners, Bainbridge Island Press 2023 bainbrideislandpress.com

**first shown as a poster in juried show Poetry Corners 2023 on display at blackbird bakery Winslow, Bainbridge Island

“Sway”