Dawn

After the dawn extinguished

all the little glows, all the distant

points of light, all the length

of last night’s vigil

As the warmth flows through you,

softening the rigid edges,

as the climbing sun

releases grateful scents

from fronds and blossoms,

you may notice 

that every stumbling footstep in the dark

was needed, every little light was real

And though the dawn would come no matter what,

the yearning that you called your life still helped —

it helped you recognize it,

helped you feel its gifts

and reap its prizes.

©Wendy Mulhern

April 21, 2016