Entranced, I’m forced to stop and stare
every time I see them there—
glass bottles in the sun,
Jewel-colored, every one,
making rainbows in the room
like a peacock’s fancy plume.

A whistling teakettle signals me
it’s time for a cup of Oolong tea.
For the moment all is right.
The bottles, the tea, the slant of light
make me happy just to be
alive and able to taste and see.


Elaine Parker Akin
2/21/19