I learned to build a fire
out of necessity.

Kindling, dry wood,
paper between,
matches.
Trial and error taught me.

I woke early
to set the house ablaze
with warmth from the woodstove,

and in that moment
of sleepy-eyed wanderers
emerging from bedrooms too small,
kindness was exchanged
for kindness’s sake.

I became alight
with thoughts of their happiness.
Their smiles filled me with gladness—
to have relieved anything at all,
to have helped even a little.

I learned that purpose
comes from what we do
for others—
to make life a little more gentle,
and devotion often begins
in necessity.
A needed love.

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