Peaceward (WC)

(Wendy Cabell, November 16, 2024, feast day of (above) Our Lady of Vilnius/Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn/Mother of Mercy (Saint Seraphim of Sarov devotion), Our Lady of Carmine, Our Lady of Chievres (dragonslaying legend and prayer here), Apostle and Evangelist Matthew, Saint Gertrude the Great, Saint Margaret of Scotland, Saint Agnes of Assisi, Saint Céronne. Image from here.)

Peaceward 

         Peace requires drastic action.

         — Nita Prowse, The Maid

A blessing, my door being open that day. 

Neighbor Irene strolls by, spots the travel items about the bed. 

“Did you know?, Irene means peace”. I hadn’t. Lug my suitcase up, unzip. 

“I’m to Europe soon,” I explain. It’s where she’s from. 

“No, no!, not what you want, just pack what you need. 

I’ll be back in a bit” she says. And she is. 

My proud pile lies expectant, a barest branch. 

“Wonderful!” I hear, “Now cut it in half”. 

I didn’t. Not then, that Spring of 1997. 

I mean seriously, how do you cut a need -– It’s needed. 

I’d board my flight to Germany,  Motherland. 

My suitcase and two carry-ons in tow, such unruly children. 

Next time, I vow — I’ll travel light.

It never came. 

Hit by a truck that Fall upon return, permanent disability. 

My itinerary now? A permission of sorts. A daily choosing. 

Between need and need. Between good and good. 

*From prompt: Write a poem about advice/conversation, as inspired by “Lament for the Maker” by  Bonnie Naradzay. From Robbi Nestors generative writing class (The Poetry Salon), November 16, 2024. And inspired by productivity expert Alicia Cohen’s approach to schedule decluttering: –  not simply eliminating what no longer benefits, but choosing between the good and the good.