Waiting for it to be Otherwise

Waiting for it to be Otherwise
~ by Michele Hirning
Waiting for the call
that tells me he is dead.
Waiting for the fall
for the failure
the loss
I'm sure is coming.
Expecting it all.
For me, unfortunately
it is always
already, somehow
Otherwise.

Otherwise
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 birchwood.
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.