(Latin: an object of wonder)

•••
And the miracles say, “We were here the whole time.
We stood right in front of you, and you stepped around us.”
—Barney Ogden, from “Confession”
•••

We put ourselves in your path all the time,
sure, sometimes disguised as late roses
unpetaling themselves at the end.

Or rocks—we love to see if you’ll stop
and peer at us, maybe pick us up like
kittens and cuddle us in your palms.

Whether you decide to take us home
and put us in a special spot, or put us
back where you found us is up to you.

Doesn’t matter to us. If we really want
to get your attention, we bring out
the flash and the sizzle—

the full-spectrum rainbow that makes
most of you stop and stare, or the fleeting
shooting star that makes you wonder

if you really saw it or not. (Hint: You did.)
Sometimes we present ourselves as
obstacles, literal and metaphorical.

Nothing like a giant boulder or tree
in your way that makes you pause, decide
how to negotiate. Miracles, baby.

It’s all in learning how to see us—
not with your mind’s eye, but with
softened gaze, maybe even closed lids,

letting the wonder of healing overcome
you, the blessing of the unexpected
appearance of a loved one (here or gone)

delight you, the phenomenon of a little
one’s grin or a dog lick or a glimpse
of a sliver of moon to remind you

that we’re here presenting you—
look! there’s one now!—
with marvels every moment

of your miraculous existence.

•••

(With thanks to Spencer’s person Felicia Tracy and in memory
of their beloved Dick Tracy—yep, that was his real name!—
garden detective, journalist, raconteur and dear friend.)