by Aron Olson

let me begin again

‏‏after Philip Levine

let me begin again
as the pounding
of feet on the pavement
running in the summer
around the lakes
and the river roads
all the hills
of the twin cities
signing up for
the summer races
so I can get in shape
for cross country
going to bed
at an earlier time
every night
so I can get up early
in the morning
taste that morning
coffee and malt cereal
let me begin again
as laundry
that needs to be put away
an extra cabinet
for all the clothes
that are overfilled
with the dresser drawer
as a dish in the sink
that needs to be cleaned

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎

© Aron Olson

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Aron Olson is the winner of the 2025 Cow Tipping Prize, awarded to a writer with intellectual/developmental disabilities. He lives in Bloomington, Minnesota. He works at Starkey Hearing Aids in Eden Prairie, Minnesota stuffing boxes for hearing aids in the shipping department. In his spare time, he enjoys bowling, softball, basketball, golf, running, tennis, pickle ball, and bicycling. He also enjoys going on walks in nature parks with staff and family year-round.

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