Gratitude

For this brand-new pair of purple socks 

 so thick, so warm, so soft 

 and also that my family could afford these socks 

 and also that I have plenty of other socks 

 and also that my feet, inside these socks 

 carried me through my day 

 down the hallways of my school

 across the cafeteria to my friends 

 up the stairs to my violin lesson 

 and also that my feet will carry me home 

 where it’s warm and safe and dry 

 where there is plenty to eat 

 where my parents will hug me 

 and my dog will spin in circles of dizzy joy 

 where, when darkness falls and all goes quiet 

 I will climb into bed 

 after pulling off 

 these wonderful socks