Small Comforts

I wrote this poem when I was observing the classes I would later student-teach, as an example of the assignment they were doing (based on a poem by Nikki Giovanni). It pretty much came right out on the spot, but I like it.

"Small Comforts"

I like the possibility presented by a fresh blank page in a brand new notebook
I like my warm bed on a cold morning just after the alarm goes off
I like bent-note blues guitar solos and Muddy Waters moans
Deep slow John Lee Hooker rumbles and
Crackin’ cacklin’ Howlin’ Wolf shouts—
‘Cause I’m built for comfort I ain’t built for speed

I like wearing hoodies on the beach at the deserted Jersey Shore misty cool mornings
Just before spring
(Where Springsteen used to walk his talk between boardwalk hot spots that are cold now, Sandy)

I like hot coffee in my cupholder on long drives across the open eastern American spaces
that stretch between my place and my home
I like my baby’s big soft purple couch and tired Friday nights at home
watching movies
Worn out from the week’s work and knowing there’s nowhere
—and no way—
I’d rather be.

(10/28/08)