We define our cosmic roots
in the humble marrow
of a stranger’s handshake,
Family is who shows up
when this world grows cold,
when the very last glowing ember
forgets our name.
Make it a habit to acknowledge
each other’s humanity
before every mirror learns to lie.
Make your bones
from the dust of each failure,
from the quiet hope
that lives beyond the screams.
No one tells you anything
you didn’t already know or intuit,
the heart is but a ventriloquist’s dummy
but the voice is yours, always yours.
I fall deep
into the hush
where galaxies foresee
their own collapse
and yet choose to stay open
assuring their stars
still light the way.
~Eric Vance Walton~
(Gif created by Grok.)