Give-away

I brought home a stone
in the shape of a heart
from the shores
of Lake Malawi

this stone has been passed
from palm to palm
as I recount stories
alive in my memory

the stone carries with her
stories of the heart
it's rounded edges
speak of my own
softening

last week I gifted this stone
to someone who would hold it dear
because I realized I could not cling
to the gifts of Malawi

it nearly broke my heart
to give away this stone
yet she now lives even more
within me, through the act of giving

for in giving I receive more
than I thought I could
and the warm heart of Africa
blesses this Canadian once more


Carissa Wieler
Petaluma, Oct. 7, 2009