And Can it be That I should Gain

The Stop Light

Sitting at a stop light on Rodney French Boulevard

A hot, muggy summer morning again

Anxious for the light to turn because I am late to work

Trying to think of something – anything – to be grateful for

While life falls apart around me.

Staring at the red light that will not change to green

So my life can move on.

Ok. Start small.

Thanks for the red light, because it slows me down.

Thank you for the men and women who installed it

And for all the accidents that didn’t happen because it is there.

They save lives every day, including my own perhaps.

Thank you for the person who changes the light when it burns out.

Thanks  for the people who designed such an amazing light that lasts

So much longer than the one on my bedside table.

Thanks for the electricity that powers it

And for the other tax payers who pay the city’s electric bill.

Thanks for the oil or coal or nuclear power that runs the electric plant

To which that interminable light is connected.

May you soon be replaced with wind and sun.

Thank you for all the men and women who run the power plant over in Somerset

From whence comes light.

Thank you for the people who help keep that plant from polluting the river and bay.

Thank you for such a long red light

And for this moment of peace

And praise

And gratitude

Before the light turns green again,

As I know it will.

And it does.