FEBRUARY 3

There are times 
in everyone's lives
that require being surrounded
by those you hold
or by those you feel held by
to step up, be real,
or in any case
just be open, warm.
All of us possess
a modicum of inwardness
but dividing attention
is still the real art form,
fecklessness isn't that...
life is hard enough to
keep triggering gewgaws
on your mantelpiece
it isn't expanding,
its demanding- demeaning
subtracting meaning.
It's as though the outside cold 
wasn't enough
for these winters.