Phases of the Heart

Perhaps the heart

has phases like the moon

that rolls on many orbits

the changing time of rise and set

a north, then southward track across the sky

it opens forth, revealing all its light

then closes slowly, gradually concealing

turning itself inward

for a quiet time of coming new

Perhaps the heart

moves on a track of years

years of staying open for its loved ones' early steps

for hopes, for fears

for storms that thrash within

and drag it

through memory’s detritus, stinging new

open to the blooming and the triumphs, too

growing with each love, pushing out its edge.

Perhaps one day the heart decides

their arcs are safe, its work complete

and so relaxes back into itself

no longer surged by every storm

And still the heart moves on a track of days

you may not see its wax and wane

its change of time of rise and set

but when you look

you find it in its place

full, crescent, new

forever learning grace.

©Wendy Mulhern

August 25, 2011