Things I didn't know I loved...

I didn’t know I loved meaningless games of chance until

my mother’s cognitive skills shifted

and she was no longer able to play,

the tirelessly game

I spent years despising. 

who knew the holiness of 13 years throwing dice

each Sunday night.

honoring her love, though it was not my own.

yet.

I didn’t know I loved my flawed life partner so deeply,

until my coworker’s 52-year-old husband collapsed

breathless at 4:02 yesterday.

A westerly front

pushing out my impatience

and the fatigue of daily minutia

dissipating haze

opening my gaze.