Adelaide B. Shaw
Millbrook, New York, USA

Between the Bricks

Poor inchworm. Back and forth across the tabletop. Down a table leg. Halfway, it turns and climbs up again. Crosses the top once more to another leg.

there was a time
when I had to choose
love or adventure . . .
was it luck or wisdom
that my choice gave me both?

The little worm takes a leap with its invisible thread, nearly reaching the bottom. Continues on, finally reaching the ground, crawls away. I lose sight of it when it disappears in a crack.

bird calls and wind
the shuffling of leaves
the shuffling of time
what I did and did not do
and where I’ll be tomorrow