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Opening
Uncork that bottle you've been saving
the one with rose in full bloom on its label
Uncork, pour into good, long stemmed, large bowled glasses
the ones that have collected dust on their bottoms
(turned upside down on your shelf for months)
Uncork, letting the nose fill your kitchen with raisiny red
bouquet of pepper and lilac and wisdom
Swirl, letting legs adorn transparent stemware, walking more
spice and leather – chocolate now – i“ into your breathing space
Let terroir take you to Italy or France or the Californian coast
Better, to the propinquities of your personal vintage
See the vines and winemaker, the sun and soil,
the labor, loss and love that fortifies grapes
Drink in delightful, yummy, cherrylike tastes
experience pillow-soft mouthfeel. Come to it
Drink structure, and landscape and soulful fruit
wait for the long, gentle, ethereal finish
(that strangely makes you feel more grounded)
Toast the open rose on the open bottle. Toast yourself:
who you've been, who you are and who you're becoming
Tomorrow, remove the label. Paste it in a journal,
a reminder of the ways you're opening with grace and time
Sally Miller is a Chicago based freelance writer and poet. Her poetry has been published
in various magazines for children and adults. Some of her poems have also been featured in two of her five books for women.
Email: Sally Miller
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