Magnetic Forces

The warmth of your kitchen
cradled us all with
magnetic forces like the
rows of garnet jelly jars
on the window sill
shot through with sunlight,
intuitively finding stray
dust particles.

Time and time again,
the pungent aroma of baking
drew us from far places
and careworn worlds away
to linger over long cups
of strong, bitter coffee.

You withdrew from us so slowly.
We hardly noticed until I felt
a new and lonely chill
that would not yield to the fire.