‘What Are You Grateful For?’
Our daughter, seven, labeled her thanks last year —
My Family, Kittens, Reading, School, and Friends —
on a silly-eyed construction-paper bird
she carried home, secure in every word
and the sturdiness of the world. It’s still here
on our fridge, one grateful-for per yellow feather.
Now eight, locked down, the only thanks she’ll give
is that “this year is nearly over.” We live
less certainly, watching hotspots and trends.
I add “our health,” and “that we’re here together.”
— Chelsea Rathburn, poet laureate of Georgia