Bonsai by Edith Tiempo

All that I love were with me tonight. Well, maybe not all, because that would mean
the world. But it was enough. And it was a moment I can relive for always. Do you
know the feeling of being swept away? Of just losing yourself completely, just for a
moment, or for all time, or both? Thats how it was. And it was the perfect way to
end my birthday month, and it was just fitting, to be standing in that room, filled
with strangers and friends, of people Ill never see again and music that will be with
me forever.

So, here, a poem for celebrating:

Bonsai

Edith 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,

Sons note or Dads one gaudy tie,

A roto picture of a queen,

A blue Indian shawl, even

A money bill.

Its utter sublimation,

A feat, this hearts control

Moment to moment

To scale all love down

To a cupped hands size

Till seashells are broken pieces

From Gods own bright teeth,

And life and love are real

Things you can run and

Breathless hand over

To the merest child.