2000/january

January, the end of it.
In Cleveland, the joke is
no matter how cold it gets,
someone says,
“At least it’s not snowing.”
I am thinking at least
we don’t have ants.
Leaving the bowls of oatmeal
on the counter to cool.
Instead of adding soy milk
to speed the job along.
A spoon of honey,
a sprinkle of coconut.
I think of how
I dip my hand
into the coconut jar,
instead of using a spoon.
And wonder if I remembered
to wash my hands.

1/29/00