Climbing Out of the Wreck - Jodi Hottel

[Larry Robinson]

Climbing Out of the Wreck

Dylan yanks out every board-book from his cubby,
opens one on the floor and stands over it
flipping pages, oinking and mooing.
When I command, “point to your eyes” 
he points and bats his lashes.
“Nose” and he places his finger there.

               there is a ladder

My mother-in-law, leg recently amputated, drifts
in her hospital bed, only dimly aware 
of her absent limb. Instead, she fixes her focus
on the Anna’s hummer at the feeder, 
sucks at the watermelon chunks we’ve brought.

             the ladder is always there

Nearly every morning, following the lead
of the trusty sun, I pour a mug of strong coffee, 
then head to my writing desk, 
where books, journal, and pen await— 
reach for the first rung. 

	- Jodi Hottel

					
Italics from Diving into the Wreck by Adrienne Rich
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