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.