in the far-flung corner of a dream,

i see myself and

the way the sunlight swallows wayward tendrils

i look older than i’ve ever been,

but there is beauty in the way i hold my cup

so intrepidly

from my unearthly vantage point, i watch the steam spiral

upward, like a great staircase

and i wonder where it would take me

if i followed.

***Hello, world!  I have been drowning in grading, duties, and exams, but I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t celebrate World Poetry Day, so here is my contribution to the cause!***