So surprising to discover
the world won’t do whatever it does
with or without me. It doesn’t trundle
down its processes by itself.
I can’t choose whether or not
my presence here
will be felt

So quieting to consider
the world is a problem
for me to solve alone.
I must work it out
(as must everyone)

I must come to the conclusion
of the whole matter
(as must everyone)
whether I do it now or later  –
I have, it turns out,
all the time in the world.

©Wendy Mulhern
February 2, 2021