This is heart –
A small bird starts flying around
in my chest, and there’s enough room
that it doesn’t feel caged –
it swoops and soars,
wheels and turns,
lands and takes off again

The space expands with its capacity
to take more daring flights,
the heat it generates
rises to my face as smile,
and I will take this bird
where it wants to go –
Again and again, I’ll do what I can
so it will spread its wings,
so it will launch and fly.

©Wendy Mulhern
July 21, 2023