if i had an extra hour (10 things)

if i had an extra hour
i would go to the grocery store for sugar and milk
and pull the cocoa and cinnamon out of the kitchen cupboard
and make hot cocoa with whipped cream,
steaming and sweet.

if i had an extra hour
i would write a letter
because snail mail is the best
to receive
and the second best to send.

if i had an extra hour
i would take a hot bath
with candles and sea salt
and lavender
and the silence as a barrier
between me and my mind.

if i had an extra hour
i would wrap up in my scarf and jacket
and take a walk in the woods
i would watch the deer nibble their way through the brush
and listen to the squirrels argue over stolen nuts.

if i had an extra hour
i would play on the swings with my niece
and hear her giggle being
flung to the world
at the edge of the autumn breeze.

if i had an extra hour
i would throw the ball for my dog
happy she would be
happy i would be
because she was happy
instead of moping around like she does.

if i had an extra hour
i would make that empty scrapbook
that i've been putting off for a month now
and i'd make a white elephant gift or two while i was at it
because christmas is just around the corner

if i had an extra hour
i would write a song
this one about wishing that walls would come crumbling down
and miscommunication would dissolve like smoke in the rain
and grief and discomfort and pain would wash away
to the sound of my piano and the plink plink plonk of precipitation

if i had an extra hour
i would go looking for you
so we could spend time together
because heaven knows
we don't do that enough anymore.

if i had an extra hour
i'd give my hot cocoa to you
that letter would have your name on it
i would let you know when the bath was full let you have it instead
i'd take a picture of the deer, and steal some of the nuts from the squirrels
and i would chase after that giggle and give all these to you
i would let my dog lick you on the face to share her happiness
and those white elephant gifts would end up on your pillow on two different mornings,
and maybe they would make you smile
the song would be yours
and the time would be yours
and my heart would be yours.

so let me go make an extra hour.

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