Otherwise - A poem by Jane Kenyon

I got out of bed on two strong legs. It might have been otherwise. I ate cereal, sweet milk, ripe, flawless peach. It might have been otherwise. I took the dog uphill to the birch wood. All morning I did the work I love. At noon I lay down with my mate. It might have been otherwise. We ate dinner together at a table with silver candlesticks. It might have been otherwise. I slept in a bed in a room with paintings on the walls, and planned another day just like this day. But one day, I know, it will be otherwise.

Poet: Jane Kenyon
Poem: Otherwise
Volume: Otherwise
Year: Published/Written in 1996

Comment 1 of 1, added on March 19th, 2006 at 7:46 PM.

This poem make me feel so happy, it was like it had been written just for me. It really made me think that perhaps I shouldn’t just give up on my life like I was going to, that happiness might really be out there for me. The poem talked about how she cherished her cereal and actually enjoyed her work. It really made me think that just maybe, the so called real world that is so unforgiving and cruel towards bad students isn’t so. It made me think that perhaps the world is more fairytalesque, and if your really true to your own soul happiness will just fall into your lap as if by magic.

Martha Dandridge from United States

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