I Want Nothing, I Want It All… Poem by Mark Heathcote

Like dogs with a gnarled stick, if, when, we do depart
Once we've separated, save a piece of my heart
It might be a misshapen, serrated, shard
But please darling, don't just completely disregard.

Take a small portion, which may well be all that's left
Once the owl, into a darkened tree hole lands-deft
Clutching what dead remains nourishment-pelleted
Skeletal fragments a host of bones ferreted.

I won't bite; I won't hoot and holler anymore
Don't be shy; I've no energy to fight tooth & claw,
Take all, the house, the car the hangings on the wall,
Don't be spiteful, I want nothing, I want it all…