All that I love...

Lily
2010
nixasis

Bonsai

Edith L. Tiempo

All that I love

I fold over once

And once again

And keep in a box

Or a slit in a hollow post

Or in my shoe.

All that I love?

Why, yes, but for the moment ---

And for all time, both.

Something that folds and keeps easy,

Son's note or Dad's one gaudy tie,

A roto picture of a young queen, 

A blue Indian shawl, even

A money bill.

It's utter sublimation

A feat, this heart's control

Moment to moment

To scale all down

 To a cupped hand's size,

Till seashells are broken pieces

From God's own bright teeth.

And life and love are real

Things you can and

Breathless hand over

To the merest child.