it’s the miraculous

in the normal, he said

she glanced up from
her reading

what she did before bed

what do you mean

she asked

her question loaded

these small things

between them

often exploded

these small things

between lovers

that came with warnings

it’s the miraculous

in the normal, he said

she turned round

from her stirring

a traveler returned

with small gifts
that unraveled

like a story retold

lentils with cumin

simmered on the stove

they were still human

she kept them fed

it’s the miraculous

in the normal, he said

she glanced up from
her reading

what she did before bed

like the darkness

in prisons she said

like gold in decay

when night becomes

the hard light of day

keep it simple, he said

straight forward

at home or abroad

take time for the tea
wear good shoes for the road

It’s the miraculous

in the normal, he said

gently insistent

she glanced up from 

her reading

what she did before bed

I know what you mean,

she whispered

it lives in my head