Shadow Dancing. The Orange
“Poetry is an echo, asking a shadow to dance.” Carl Sandburg
The Orange
by Wendy Cope
At lunchtime I bought a huge orange—
The size of it made us all laugh.
I peeled it and shared it with Robert and Dave—
They got quarters and I had a half.
And that orange, it made me so happy,
As ordinary things often do
Just lately. The shopping. A walk in the park.
This is peace and contentment. It’s new.
The rest of the day was quite easy.
I did all the jobs on my list
And enjoyed them and had some time over.
I love you. I’m glad I exist.
Curator’s Note
The poem reminds us that we don't have to take everything seriously, that we can lighten up, and enjoy the simple things in life - the everyday things we do have special meaning when we slow down enough to realize and enjoy them. It touches on the simple joy of being alive - warm, comfortable, content, no big deal - but a very big deal, indeed.
