Our Hearth

Large wood coal burner

warmer above, large oven its middle,

water reservoir at the far end

top cluttered with coffee, water pots, ironing irons

lifter set in the notch of one round stove lid,

our hearth.

Mum carefully feeds its greed,

stokes it to boil, bake, cook

and in deep winter banks it well

to coax the morning rekindling

before calling us to warmth and porridge

and shooing us to chores and school.