The smooth hardness of the maple wood,
its solidness as I split it,
the songs I played while wielding
the axe and hammer

The little towhee
who flew into the window,
who I set upright and warmed
for a moment with my hand
before it flew off

Enough laughter to fill a face
so full that tears ran out,
time to listen and tell stories,
time to feel at home.

©Wendy Mulhern
February 18, 2022