Snow fell in the night.
At five-fifteen I woke to a bluish
mounded softness where
the Honda was. Cat fed and coffee made,
I broomed snow off the car
and drove to the Kearsarge Mini-Mart
before Amy opened
to yank my Globe out of the bundle.
Back, I set my cup of coffee
beside Jane, still half-asleep,
murmuring stuporous
thanks in the aquamarine morning.
Then I sat in my blue chair
with blueberry bagels and strong
black coffee reading news,
the obits, the comics, and the sports.
Carrying my cup twenty feet,
I sat myself at the desk
for this day’s lifelong
engagement with the one task and desire.

Analysis, meaning and summary of Donald Hall's poem An old life

1 Comment

  1. Ai Miura Caine says:

    I heard you reciting this poem on Diane Rimm (sp?) show on December 29th. The poem moved me, reminded me of the goodness and beauty in daily routines and immediacy. Thank you for that affirmation.

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