Alphabet of the second chance

after Donna Hilbert

---

 I believe in the alphabet

and in the sound of words:

Zinnia. Echinacea.

Joe Pye Weed.

I believe in the punctuation of pines

around this old pond.

And our long dirt driveway through woods

with its sentences of stone walls.

I believe in this hometown I have returned to

after 40 years, like a good book you want to read again.

In stopping to talk to folks I still recognize.

And the turn of the key in our post office box.

I believe in the melted cheese sandwich my new husband

just brought. Its ooze and crunch and chew.

And the way he said, “Have fun!”

as I turned on my computer to write.

I believe in this marriage:

this thing I did not know I could have.

Kate Young Wilder