Kneeling on
the cold stone
hearth each
morning,
facing
yesterday’s ashes
cold and gray as
death,
ignites a necessary humility.
Today’s fire must be made
from what
lies at hand –
life and
heat coaxed
from pages of an old newspaper,
kindling and a match
placed just
so and the one log
that sits in
the wood box, big
enough to
snuff it all out.
Dare to try,
for you must
face this
possible failure
again and
again if you wish
to stave off
the chill, to warm
the house
before the children wake
in their
innocence unaware
of this
wrestling with wood
and flame,
the effort it takes,
the
faith.
Linking with The High Calling for their community gathering on the topic, Create Good.
Kelly, what a powerful metaphor. Wow.
Thanks, Jody. Boy, that fire left me frustrated yesterday, but overall, I'm excited to be learning something new.
Love. A lot.
Thankyou, Diana. 🙂
"Facing yesterdays ashes", oh yes. This was really beautiful, thanks for sharing. Blessings!
This is beautiful, Kelly! "Today's fire must be made from what lies at hand." I love that. We can't wish and hope what we don't have into existence. We can only work with what we've been given for each day — with a heart of thanksgiving for its provision. What if we woke up one morning and there was no wood, after all! Such a great reminder, thank you! 🙂
This is a lovely poem and the metaphor really spoke to me. Thanks for sharing with our link-up at The High Calling. We won't be featuring it this time, but I encourage you to try us again.