Whenever I walk this path

Whenever I walk this path

I catch my clothes

on a protruding nail

and swear at the tear.

I know it is there

it is visible, not hidden

yet somehow

I again catch my clothes

on the same nail.

Each time it occurs

I exclaim loudly at 

another tear to mend

and promise myself to bring a hammer

and fix the nail.

Somehow, a fog of habit descends

and before I am aware

there is yet another tear.

This time, instead of shouting in anger

and frustration

I resolve to remember.

Back at the house

I immediately find my hammer

and leave it by the door.

Now

whenever I walk this path

there is no protruding nail

on which to catch my clothes.

The hammered head gleamingly smiles at me

and I smile back, grateful to it

for welcoming me

into mindfulness.

© 30 May 20