I rose feeling cheerful and thankful. Sun beamed on the full to bursting river, rippling the reflection of trees.

Now, I end the day, cheerful and thankful.

For one hour, tonight, I felt catastrophic. Because I am inclined, some times, to a closed mind, a hardened heart, a belief I am entirely correct. I do love to be correct. It’s harder to let go of expectations: Let an iced morsel of my heart melt, spring an old wound, let it wash away or blow. Rainwater. November Winds, change, letting go. Acceptance. Once the ice melted, my heart opened. Something is possible now, and, only moments before, I refused to let it be so.

The whole white moon rose from the clouds tonight on the drive home. Outside the house the wind has kicked up wild.

Thanksgiving has arrived.

Read all of November for Beginners by Rita Dove here.