hearth of language

arqios

 

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.

 

 

 

 

.

 

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Comments +

Comments10

  • Paul Bell

    This feels like the visit to the care home.
    Maybe dementia has taken its toll, but sometimes the spark is there.
    Tough journey and echoed throughout the land by couples whose life ends this way.

    • arqios

      Now that you mention it, quite so! 🙏🏻🕊️

    • sorenbarrett

      Comradery, words shared, time spent, warmth of company. Time the most precious of commodities is well spent with someone cherished. A lovely write Cryptic

      • arqios

        Happy Thanksgiving, Soren. So thankful for you. 🙏🏻🕊️

        • sorenbarrett

          The same goes both ways my friend

        • arqios

          Thanks so much @Demar Desu for the Fave 🤩 truly appreciate you 🙏🏻🕊️

        • orchidee

          Cooeee! You being here? Or being there?! lol.

          • arqios

            Excellent pick up, O; and wherever I may be at any given moment that is where I’m at even if I’m aware of it or not 🙏🏻🕊️

          • Tristan Robert Lange

            arqios, this lands softly but sure…the “small gestures put us back in step” moment really stayed with me, and I’ve lived that kind of quiet reconnection. Warm, grounded, and beautifully human. Love it, dear friend. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦‍⬛

            • arqios

              Thanks for keeping me in poetic step throughout the year, Tittu 🙏🏻🕊️🎃👍🏻

              • Tristan Robert Lange

                You are welcome, and ditto, my dear poetic friend! A mutuality for sure!

              • Paul Gerard Reed

                I like that phrase 'the steady cost of care'. You are right - care is not grand or distant. Steadiness is a quality much under-valued.

                • arqios

                  Thank you, Paul. To have observed life in poetry is a worthwhile journey. Happy Thanksgiving 🙏🏻🕊️

                • Bella Shepard

                  The hearth of language, the home, the table where bread is broken, love and comradery shared, cherished. Beautifully written dear poet!

                  • arqios

                    Thanks, dear Bella. Happy Thanksgiving 🙏🏻🕊️

                  • Doggerel Dave

                    The connection in between the words forms the moment in space and time. You are so good at this, Rik - Thanks.

                    • arqios

                      Thanks DD. That connection is like a holy grail. 🙏🏻🕊️

                    • Kevin Hulme

                      Yes I like this . I fine Poem.

                      • arqios

                        Cheers, Kevin 🙏🏻🕊️

                      • Goldfinch60

                        That warmth between two people is totally irreplaceable Rik.

                        Andy



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