I’ve been sleeping for a long time —
sleeping as I walk through my day,
some old tune looping through my mind,
sleeping as I do the needed tasks
without feeling much of anything

I started thinking how it might feel
to be awake to see and notice
the living forces moving through the moments,
the swift imperative impelling every life

The world could open out in color,
the sky would sing, the air would dance,
all things would celebrate each other,
all breath would praise,
and all the earth would laugh

Now when I think of it,
I try to wake myself up,
at least a little,
at least for now.

©Wendy Mulhern
October 8, 2019