Nestling
©November 11th, 2017
By Vijaya Sundaram
When I lift up my eyes, and spread
My arms out wide, then hug the air,
Wrapping its coldness close, so close
I know I’m holding all of life.
Billions of people, animals
Enclosed here, nestling in my arms.
All of the past, coldly resting
In this present, aching for warmth.
I hold them close, because, one day,
I shall be one with them, and one
With the creature who comes after
I’m gone, shuddering in sunlight.
And we will look up, all of us,
And ask to be fed, clamoring
In concert, till the mother bird
Returns, and we’ll be warmed again.
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