I have eaten
the plums
that were in
the icebox
and which
you were probably
saving
for breakfast
forgive me
they were delicious
so sweet
and so cold
-william carlos williams (1934)
I remembered this poem while I snacked on a perfect black plum this morning. The fruit and the poem bring to mind the importance of simple pleasures in life. The inner smile you feel when you hear a child's laughter. The perfection of a chocolate covered almond. The sound of the afternoon rain hitting the roof as you sit on your porch. Too often, we are overworked, overburdened, and overwhelmed. We multi-task to balance our families, our work, and caring for our loved ones. The stress starts with the morning alarm, and mounts throughout the day until the next thing we know, the day is over and we missed the whole thing. But we forget that living is not speeding through one day to rush quickly to the next. It is about the day, the plum, the simple pleasures. Be sure to stop and remember what brings joy to your life, and allow yourself to feel it. Take a deep breath. Slow down. Everything will be waiting for you when are again ready for the many tasks you face. Now, if you will excuse me, I need to finish this perfect black plum. The best... "Missy M Johnson"
