minutes to look at clouds

 seven minutes between frantics

to lie on my couch looking at the clouds

in layered blue-gray, even tinges

of purple-green, some butting

some seeming settled into immovability

but moments of giving myself

permission to breathe in my new home

and know how deeply blessed i am

dine in joy

her voice over the phone

animated, grateful, joyous

as she explained she’d taken

my rosebud with her to dinner

all who stopped by admired

its red, new-opened petals

and inhaled its fragrance

that night dining, as well,

in joy