I’m sitting in my husband’s office,

just off the busy kitchen

of this grand hotel

listening

It’s alive, this engine of

clanging pots and pans –

it’s heartbeat

Snippets of conversation,

the hollering across this cavernous room – it’s voice

The heart reveals itself

more slowly, quietly

Iiving in those who work this space

I feel its warmth as

they bring me warm plates of food

accompanied by even warmer smiles