Heart Medicine

To stay open 

 is what I wanted.

  Though winter and war

   have taught me 

    the importance of refuge. 

Even then, like a wild rabbit 

 that is no less soft

  and no less gentle

   inside its dark burrow,

    the heart in its shelter

     finds ways to stay open, 

      if not to the world, 

       at least to whatever

        it is that shines

         through the self,

          and the deep remove 

           becomes a chance

            to steep in tenderness

before re-emerging again 

 into the world 

  with all its threats

   and dangers, 

    with all its green 

     and radiant beauty.

—Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer