Alphabet of the second chance

Alphabet of the Second Chance

after Donna Hilbert

 I believe in the alphabet

and in the sound of words:

Zinnia. Echinacea.

Joe Pye Weed.

I believe in the parenthesis of pines

around this old pond.

And our long dirt driveway through woods,

and the stonewalls of its long sentence.

I believe in this hometown I have returned to

after 40 years, like a good book you want to read again.

In stopping to talk to folks you still recognize.

In the turn of the key in our post office boxes.

I believe in the melted cheese sandwich

my husband of eight years just brought me when I got back.

And the way he said, “Have fun,”

as I turned on my computer to write.

I believe in our marriage:

this thing I did not know I could have.

Kate Young Wilder