What Is Wobbly Will Right Itself

"Tiny Little Series" by Kate Castelli

What Is Wobbly Will Right Itself

probably What is wobbly will become strong
someday but only if it wobbles enough

I consider several counterexamples
Threadbare fences hanging on by one measly nail
The skinny tree tethered on each side to a wooden post
a family tree come to life
Worse of all the limb shaken from within by illness
not evil (the illness) but cruel and thoroughly despicable

What is wobbly can be steady
See There is my baby son lifting his own head
Raising his own body to sit
Learning how to hold himself

What is wobbly reveals the work
and weight and sway

of the unattached and coming undone

the classification that we all fall under

[Image above by Kate Castelli]

Parenthood is a time of boxes

Parenthood is a time of boxes

    both empty and full. Everything comes to them in a box—high chair, diapers, wipes, car
    seat base, bottle warmer—and is then unboxed. She slices them at the seam, folds them    
    flat, body into shadow, or places them inside each other, nesting dolls.

The midday walk brings

The midday walk brings

    purple shutters. A beige house gone blue over the weekend. A grandfather in black and
    white checked pajama pants, carrying his grandson out to collect the mail. They are also
    in the At Home During the Day Club.

For every swath of green

For every swath of green

    there should be one red thing. Freshly shorn lawn with its red mower. Red convertible    
    parked under limbs greening up. Cardinal darting in the leaves of the oak, reminding you    
    that here is your heart alive inside you for so short a time.