Plymouth Magazine-Summer26-DIGITAL - Flipbook - Page 7
Ritual
By Kevin Wilhelm
A dark morning begins softly with birds chirping and distant
interstate traffic droning.
Neon orange tracker plucked off the wrist showing
OK night of sleep.
Alexa, turn on the first floor. And there was light.
Running in the too warm spring humidity while traffic softly
hums and mimics ocean waves; a shell held to an ear.
Technical watch competes to be heard.
A 5-K medal pings.
Progress rings vibrate. Two circles close. Must stand
or the third.
Full flax moon glowing against blackberry sky.
Bare feet grounded on solid earth. The feel of cold wet
grass reminds of beginnings and endings.
Stand firm on the earth, connected with the ancients.
Head up, arms wide, listening.
Kitchen light glow and outlook messages break the pose.
Five cups of coffee electronically input into phone;
twelve calories; no protein.
Mystery interrupted by digital noise.
A time to center and connect shifts with the clanging noise of
the day.
Tangerine sun creates energy and urgency.
Dawn ruckus as birds respond to circadian rhythms.
Glaring sunlight creates sudden stops and angry horns.
A new ritual begins.
Kevin Wilhelm is recently retired from
Principal Financial Group where he was
Vice President and Controller. He has been
a member at Plymouth for 8 years and is
grateful for the Plymouth community.
Plymouth Magazine 7
