one of my favorite poems

"When I'm writing, I know I'm doing the thing I was born to do." - Anne Sexton

Welcome Morning

There is joy
in all:
in the hair I brush each morning,
in the Cannon towel, newly washed,
that I rub my body with each morning,
in the chapel of eggs I cook
each morning,
in the outcry from the kettle
that heats my coffee
each morning,
in the spoon and the chair
that cry “hello there, Anne”
each morning,
in the godhead of the table
that I set my silver, plate, cup upon
each morning.

All this is God,
right here in my pea-green house
each morning
and I mean,
though often forget,
to give thanks,
to faint down by the kitchen table
in a prayer of rejoicing
as the holy birds at the kitchen window
peck into their marriage of seeds.

So while I think of it,
let me paint a thank-you on my palm
for this God, this laughter of the morning,
lest it go unspoken.

The Joy that isn’t shared, I’ve heard, dies young.

- Anne Sexton

* * *
"Welcome Morning", from her 1975 book The Awful Rowing Toward God (published after her death) illustrates a compelling facet of Sexton's persona which contradicts the dominant memory of her poetic life--depression and suicide. This poem is full of hope, light, sincere thankfulness for her moments of joy; the tactile sensations that gave Anne pleasure and peace. I am filled with a sense of grief for the inner turmoil she endured before and after this poem was composed. I think anyone who suffers from depression should post this by her bed and read it in the morning upon waking, that sometimes most difficult time of the day. To remember the hope. And consider her own personal reasons for giving thanks.

I'm going to read this poem at next month's reading to celebrate Women's History Month. It will take place at The Empyrean Coffee House in Spokane, and is being organized by some of my MFA alumni poet friends. Each reader will first read a poem or two published by prominent female poets, and then some of her/his own original work.

If you live in or near Spokane, you should come. Saturday, March 18 @ 7:00 p.m.