If my heart is a frosty
Little leaf, having lived sheltered
On the forest floor
Among frozen acorns and
Abandoned tires, and the
Sight of its unassuming
Glimmering catches your eye,
I hope you take it gently
By the stem on your way
To the river. I will shine
In the bright winter sun
As hard as I can. Then, when
My heart is a dark little leaf
Spent, yes, and wet, but better
For having known what it was
To sparkle, leave it
On a log by the water
With a pretty white mushroom
And a bottle cap, an offering
For the gremlins and fairies,
And when you do, if the sun
Is out and the water is
Running sweetly and you see
My wet heart on a log, please say,
"Oh, my hand was too warm."