And Still

When the silence of sleep

settled

I heard a rustle of paper

of whispers

of promises.

Fania’s silhouette

reached under her dress,

withdrew the Heart,

unfolded it,

cradled it

as if it were

her beating heart.

She hugged it

kissed it

tucked it back

under her arm.

The silence of sleep descended

but not before

I marveled

how Fania

had held on to the Heart for so long.