11 Comments
тна Return to thread

Such a sweet poem, small but mighty with delicious imagery. I love the photo and video of the magnificent cottonwood, too (and Clear Creek reminds me of Millie!). Here is what the prompt squeezed out of me:

*

Sometimes there are seasons

of grief so complete

that the primary purpose

of the heart may be

to hold the ache

like a retaining wall,

preventing the landslide

from swallowing us whole.

Moreover,

that ache

may be the only way

we recognize

having survived the landslide

one more day.

Expand full comment

This is beautiful and so powerful in its simplicity. I love the meaning you give to that ache.

Expand full comment

Thanks, friend...here's to all the <3 has to offer and teach.

Expand full comment

Oh, the heart holding the ache as a retaining wall !! Yes!

Expand full comment

Thanks, A. :))

Expand full comment

Good stuff Keith. How the heart holds the sort of grief you write about and also can hold the joy that Lisa mentioned in her commentary. It amazes me.

Expand full comment

I share that amazement, Billy. The human heart's resilience and capacity to stretch in every possible way is miraculous.

Expand full comment

This is very lovely, Keith. The amazing paradox of the heart.тЭдя╕П which you capture so well in your eloquent writing. Loads of good heart juju to you.

Expand full comment

Thanks, Larry - and right back at you with good heart juju <3

Expand full comment

Beautiful and so very true. The ache letтАЩs us know we are still around.

Expand full comment

Thanks, Karri. Yes...that ache is sometimes the only thing that cuts through the numbness.

Expand full comment