In this time of
standing watch,
taking care,
making sure
the quiet order of things
can unfold, unperturbed,
there’s little space
to move things forward —
too many tiny tethers
to accomodate wild leaps

Instead, the measured calm
of giving the attention each thing needs
proceeds in small steps,
none of them remarkable,
none of them leading us forward,
but all of them together,
keeping us steady
in the place we are.

©Wendy Mulhern
July 10, 2016