Good/Now

I catch myself humming bits of
songs that I used to know
     just to remind myself
     while everything changes,
nothing changes, really.

I am the same set of bones that
asked to try the maple ice cream,
even though it was my favorite
     just to remind myself
     it was.

I stretch my neck to my shoulder
instinctively every morning
     just to remind myself
     of where I am.

I am the same floppy ponytail that
tugged at the hem of my mother’s skirt
after church
     just to remind myself
     she was there.

I watch as the trees’ shadows
walk back into themselves every night
     just to remind myself
     this is now
     and somehow

     This is good.  

-Erika Veurink