Keeping

I will keep

what’s been committed

to my trust —

each precious soul-glimpse,

each secret shared

(or spilled, in the earnest, bumbling

sloshing of a heart,) 

each gift that’s given me

of hard-won ease,

each doubt-enfolded impulse

that fights its way through all those layers

and emerges

in some quick moment I may chance to see —

These are priceless —

I will give them all the honor they deserve.

I will keep them,

I will not forget.

©Wendy Mulhern

November 21, 2013