The Porringer

The bowl on any other day
would just mean breakfast
sugary start to a new day

today is not other days

Today is D-Day
the date set for my return
to the shores of commerce

dog eat dog and all that

Panic rises and hope falls
racing thoughts kick up clouds
of dust and fear

chasing language to the edge

Bottle by bottle the bowl fills
I am eerily amazed
as brightly colored capsules chime

a piper’s tune

Cross-legged on the bed
I stare into the bowl
I whisper “do I dare?”

while time hides

The bowl is no mirror
I cannot see my reflection
I cannot see tomorrow

today is not other days