Heart Work

Poetry

Heart Work

By Susan McCaslin  (see Review in the Literary/Arts Section)

Volume 35  Issue 1, 2 & 3 | Posted: April 4, 2021

Praise to the bi-valved fleshed-wrapped
organ
the heart heart ark site of heart work
channeling

nourishment to flesh’s crannies
Love’s courteous courier     humble sage

My dog trots beside me along the Fraser
her animal heart and mine in sync

We are small valentines within a vastness
Why does poetry raise a rhythm in the
heart?

How is it Cupid shoots darts      heart-ward
not for cupidity’s sake but           through Eros

the greater longing?         Why
do hermits practice hesychasm

prayer of the heart      where the mind
descends?   It’s then     lungs fill     tongues

feet fly unthinkingly to valleys of tears
where we      bearing our hearts in hands

along with food   hope     kindness
root      sleep             soar

where the arts are heart arts:
pure acts     of the educated

   

By Susan McCaslin  (see Review in the Literary/Arts Section)