Ordinary Time (A Young Widow’s Lament)

I write my book
I write it every day
on every page this is what I say:
Today I looked into your eyes
then I awoke in dull surprise
another day in Ordinary Time.
You picked flowers for my door
you were so damn proud and sure
when you said goodbye in Ordinary Time.

I read the news
I read it every day
on every page this is what they say:
To the constant drums of war
the body count still soars
the bombs all blow in Ordinary Time
through the terror and the pain
for the greed and for the gain
you spent your life in Ordinary Time.

New year today
the old one slipped away
Hello, goodbye
I’ll miss you for all time.
When the pale, pink dogwood bloom
mingles with my gloom
I’ll sing your name and call a woeful rhyme
when the purple violets grow
with their perfect yellow throats
I’ll celebrate in Ordinary Time.