Omens of Fortitude
for David Merritt

Sturdy

like the footwear
of the figure in the photograph
presently

arriving, filmic
and the sole scrubs,
kicks from dust
to doorway

hammers
at the threshold.


Memoirs

fumble with the candlewax;
the hearth,
Old shoes,
on the traveller hold the story
of the transferred,
musically,

and are finally
taken off,
and put to the side of the entrance..


Whole

and encompassing
the fire is as simple as tea

in a small and ancient glass,
and loaf,

prising a lid
by the way
from the sweet
smell of summer,
every morning
boards the floor
and there, like a gift,
an omen of fortitude
just by the door.