Places in the Heart

(Kathleen,  Feb 2007)

There are places in the heart

Between the beginning and the end

A pause

To catch your breath

In the mad dance of life

Slow waltz you through the clutter of your days

Shovel it out the door

Let the Salvation Army heap it on another

More needful of things you can live without

Lean back

Head pressed against the weeping willow

Gazing up

The gnarly branches you wrapped your legs around

Not so long ago

Stood the test of time

Quiet moments

Perfect acceptance

Embraced in the strong arms

Of grandmothers, great aunts, aunts, mothers, sisters, daughters

All gathered in greeting

Women fiercely rooted in the earth without adornment

Not questioning their beauty or their worth

Nor measuring it against a false advertising God

They wait now

Sipping their hot coffee

With warm oatmeal raisin cookies on the plate between them

Waiting

For you

To join them