Click the play button above to hear me read this poem.
Sunday Morning Pancakes
no jangling alarm clocks
church not till 10
plenty of time for rising
sunlight filters through white curtains
all is still and quiet
stretching while in bed
slowly sitting up
easing out of covers
into robe and slippers
gently entering the day
hold the handrail
going down
morning knees
complain about the stairs
creaking with each step
poodle dog at the bottom
waiting patiently
wags his tail
leads me to the door
cool air swirls in
as he slips out
air smelling fresh
embraces me
dog comes back in
goes back to his bed
I pad to the kitchen alone
a bowl with flour, eggs, milk, oil
on the counter
me stirring
thinking
wondering
waiting
waiting for the skillet to heat
waiting for the others
still no noise
save the scraping of the spoon
against the side of the bowl
batter poured in neat circles
bubbling
time to flip
golden brown
butter and syrup
plates and forks
at the ready
stirring of a different sort
begins in other rooms
sleepy faces appear
the others shuffle in
slow smiles
gentle hugs
"mornin', Mom"
pouring milk
orange juice
cup of tea
chairs pulled up to the table
sharing the peace
sharing a prayer
sharing the joy
of
Sunday morning pancakes
