The gift of today
is rain-proof resilience,
quiet shadows under tarps,
wind about the edges,
rain and cat company,
rain blowing onto the porch,
cat seeking caresses
even from my hammer and pry bar wielding hands

Resilience through storms
of injury and memory
and the harm of old stories
drumming relentlessly down
onto the roof

Resilience bridging all the way to joy
and a warm fireplace
and the bliss of companionship
on a quiet evening.

©Wendy Mulhern
October 15, 2016