An Everyday Occurrence

Confronted suddenly

with such fullness

I am left without words —

the place where they were

has gone liquid

and it flows around and permeates

all the pores of my perception

I don’t respond

for I am transfixed

almost clumsily

I lean into the contact

My tongue has assumed the aspect

of infants drinking

I feel the suction

against my soft palate 

It’s time to fly

time to cry or cry out

time to throw my whole being

against or into the vortex

(I don’t know which)

Time for gratitude

for overwhelm, for wonder

for this Life.

©Wendy Mulhern

April 23, 2015