hearth of language

hearth of language

 

Set the table, and let the light fall, 

cut the bread, cost nothing but time. 

Read my face for the story- 

for and, or but, yet so-

we keep finding ways to meet. 

 

A few laughs shared, 

a lot of pauses filled, 

twenty of those small gestures 

put us back in step. 

 

So often, many times, 

and always once more, 

my hand set beside yours, 

the rhythm unchanging, 

the word read aloud together. 

 

Not grand, not distant- 

just the steady cost of care, 

the hearth of language, 

the warmth of being here.

 

 

 

 

.

Reviews

[Michael Sun Bear]

I saw the title of your poem on the home page and just from that alone I knew I would love this. The hearth of language, what a great phrase! What a beautiful poem; I see and feel a mostly quiet but intimate space, gestures small but pregnant with meaning. Very nicely written Fred.

[redd Brick Keshner]

Score for the title! A rarity in my personal experience. Thanks, Michael. That phrase is awesome so I had to somehow use it. This review truly made my day🙏🏻🕊️

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Oh my did this hit a spot in my heart.
I served yesterday at one of our churches...a thanksgiving meal.
ONe of my exes showed up and we ate together after I was done serving.
We are still very close and grateful for that...
there is warmth where in the past...that warmth was fragile and sometimes not there at all. We share this hearth now.
Thanks for this poem.
j.

[redd Brick Keshner]

That is a beautiful embodiment, j! Reminds me of a translation process forward and back again or checking a math process after solving an equation. Happy Thanksgiving 🙏🏻🕊️