the things that i would say to you if i thought that you would listen to me

i know better
than to tell you the truth.

~

RNH

Kneeling

The day would come
When knee, soft bending
Would trickle down
Fault lines, bitter tears, and ache
Remembering missteps
Yesterday's triplets, out
of time, the misjudgments
Burned into the brain
Seared in with hot coals
Their orange glow
Pride
Bursting the case
Revealing
Error
to be the greatest gift, this
Failure
Taught her how
to forgive.

~

RNH

blanket stitch

the grandmother that wiped chins
and combed unruly hair
tucked in little shoulders
beneath the patterns of handmade quilts
showing her talent
for caring for other people
her gifts
shining in everything she touched
forgave you
even when you broke
her china
the pieces, trembling in your hands.

~

RNH