The handle of the soup pot heavy in hand;
The whine of water racing from the pipes,
swishing and splashing as it’s caught.

Full, but not to the brim,
Stop the water and place the pot,
still swaying on the stove

Turn, click.click.click, pop-whoosh
the burner is lit
A small ring of fire
The tapping of cool metal as it heats.

You can do this
have done this:

moved matter – creatively contained it – set this process in motion.

And
now
You

Wait

Unable to do anything but

wait

While water ever so maddeningly slow
is set to boil

wipe down the counter

wait

turn up the heat

wait

add salt because you’ve heard that helps

An eternity has passed – a moment, a day
months

Along the surface of the pot
a single, small, layer of bubbles have formed

not one will surface

Maybe,
today the water doesn’t boil
maybe the gas runs out

Waiting

As if your life depends on it.

Along with the rest of the world.