it’s the after part
when it’s turned inside out
like the pockets of denim
jeans hanging upside down
on the line after the wash,
white ears waving in
mere air
it’s the leftovers after
the gluttonous stuffing,
just the turkey ribcage
alone on the platter,
bits of meat carelessly
strewn about, so
gristley and stingy
even the cats walk away
it’s giving everything
you had, spending it all,
not holding back,
loving for the sake of love,
trusting that somehow
it would boomerang
back just because
you had faith,
because that’s what a
heart, well spent,
gets in return
(from Companion Spirit, Jan Haag, 2006, LAMP Press)