I pattern through my day
first thing, I walk across the
green geometry of my rug
telling myself I will stay
on course, breathe rhythmically

coffee myself up to start up
my inner waves of can-do
coming and going through tasks
written on my straight-line list

repeat my regularities
shower myself with adulthood
stand among the trees living
above underground networks
feel their energy, take in
the reliabilities of exchange

somewhat ready for small
differences and changes
in the flow and spiraling
of conversations with the known

and the unknown
who may try
to sprinkle chaos on
the creamy orange cones
of my construction zones.

Susan Shea grew up in Brooklyn, NY, and now lives in a forest in Pennsylvania. Her poems are in or are forthcoming in Chiron Review, ONE ART, The RavensPerch, Cloudbank, Foreshadow, Green Silk Journal, Radix Magazine, Ekstasis and others. Recently, one of her poems was nominated for Best of the Net, and three poems were nominated for a Pushcart Prize.