Warming This Place

The hearth of the home—

the core of its being

and thrust

of its mysterious 

becoming—

is the human heart

vibrant and tender,

     often shy

       yet still

         opening 

without restraint 

to the human and 

more-than-human hearts

all around, these trees

stones animals grasses 

people and clouds,

while full-circling

like a wobbly child 

on her first bike

rounding the block,

bravely learning 

to receive the gift

of kindness 

as Dad’s proud grin

holds her steady softly

from 30 feet behind

even as strong 

calloused hands 

that guided

have let go.