Practicing to Walk Like a Heron

Morning Rounds

54 Morning Rounds He gets up first, makes the coffee while she lets her dreams come to no end. He feeds the dogs, two cups for the big one, one cup for the pup. She likes coffee with cream. He is retired. She goes to work, brings home the endless stress of colleagues convinced that family and the next-door neighbors keep them from seeing the evening stars or the weekend’s clear air. He will deadhead the flowers, carry out the dead mole the cats fought over during the night, make the bed, choose between washing the windows, the clothes, the car. Now the coffee’s perked, and he carries it to her in her favorite cup. She sits up, smiles. He says he hopes her meeting goes well. She says she hopes his day is nice. The dogs and cats sleep. He tunes the radio to the classical station. 55 She holds the coffee between her hands. ...