Narrated Essay: Steadfast

On my 41st birthday.

Young Stars, Dark Nebulae | Image Credit & Copyright: Long Xin

STEADFAST

(Inspired by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer’s “Wordlessly”)

The way the pericardium holds the heart,

the pond holds the murk, and fish,

the bowl holds the porridge my child eats

its steam rising to hold her face —

and morning cups the day,

the way day cups the night

in a great, persistent mystery,

the socket holds the gaze.

your palm holds my hand,

your silence holds, “I’m here” —

our bodies hold the ache

of how the world could be,

how the world could be

holding how it is.

- Shawn Parell