March 16, 2025

What is that leaping in your chest?

When everything is too much: eat wontons in Flushing, find solace in tea, appreciate the gift of excellent company.

Make marks on paper; play with watercolour pencils; drink more tea; read a short story; do small chores; schedule the appointments; make copies of the paperwork.

Donate money to a library; donate money to another library; organize the Goodwill piles; try making miso soup; sign up for another class.

Light the good candles; write with the nice pens; swatch the new inks.

Whisper to all the gods.

Keep going.

Attribution

What do you see that you may wish to steal?

Why this dancing? Why do your dark bodies

Drink up all the light? What are you demanding

That we feel? Have you stolen something? Then

What is that leaping in your chest? What is

The nature of your mission? Do you seek

To offer a confession? Have you anything to do

With others brought by us to harm? Then

Why are you afraid?

— from The United States Welcomes You by Tracy K. Smith