I had an argument with my wife that descended into unpleasantries and upset. I slept poorly, and at work the next day I composed these few lines to try and fix it.
During the course of the day, I met a woman I did not know and I decided to ask her about the poem. I explained that I had written it recently but was considering another wording. I recited the poem and her face lit up. She said she knew people who needed that, and I knew then that I had the right words.

The next day I sent a copy to my mother, just because I do that, and a copy to my sister. My sister does not have a lot to say to me. We are not particularly close and we stopped talking much decades ago. She is employed in conflict resolution, and I sent her the poem with a note that it might amuse her. She responded with a brief thank you.

But three weeks later I got another letter from her saying the poem was so special to her, that whenever she read it, the stress of the day would just melt away. Since then, she has phoned me. The point being, don't underestimate the power of your aesthetics.

And of course, my wife and I are spending our time on something small and bright that we can both agree upon—our grandson!—K.T.

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What Are You Writing?