Wally Swist: Honoring the Moment

The preparation is essential 
to the beginning of the everyday, 
every morning

the laying of the table
with coasters, then cloth napkins, 
plates, silverware, a French roll 

cut in half, 
goat chevre, blueberry preserve, 
a silver creamer,

the pair of coffee cups—
to honor 
the moment she descends 

the stairs, and pushes 
open the louvred doors
to enter the kitchen,

in anticipation
of the arrangement
of sliced orange halves

that she depends on,
that she refers to as
happy smiles on her plate.

Copyright 2022 Wally Swist

Wally Swist’s many collections of poems include Taking Residence (Shanti Arts, 2021). He lives in South Hadley, Massachusetts.