And we pray, not
for new earth or heaven, but to be
quiet in heart, and in eye
clear. What we need is here.

—Wendell Berry, from “The Wild Geese”

•••

(for Dickie on his 81st birthday)

Even on the coldest days, when our feet,
no matter how well socked or booted,
never quite get warm,

we find what is needed close at hand—
another hand to warm our own,
a steaming cup of dreams,

books and food, perhaps a whiskered
friend to settle on a blanket spread
across your lap and mine,

passed down through generations,
perhaps a bit frayed on the edges—
like us—but still capable of coziness,

every loosening stitch a wee bit
of love sewn into the very fabric
of ourselves, right here.