frayed and nibbled

note to self

there’s no denying it
if you’ve made it this far
you’re a frayed and nibbled survivor
every one of us—from milkweed
to earthworms to gray whales—
are bruised and battered
welcome to our round blue home
that appears to be its calling card

yet there’s a strange grace here
a living flaming presence
amidst these galling times
it doesn’t take effort to notice
more like giving way
take a breath
go quiet
be alert
attend

thank you to Annie Dillard, from Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, for the phrase “frayed and nibbled survivor.”

2022 ©Amrita Skye Blaine
I’m writing a poem a day. These are drafts—they may never turn into anything more or they might flower.