The Heart Of A Bedouin Traveller Poem by Mark Heathcote

The heart should pitch side to side like a tent
giving every foe and friend some shelter;
sandstorms circle your tent and-give-vent
to its anger, who are they to swelter-
raise and break the calm, all placid temper.

Shouldn't—they'd-better foresight, well, perhaps-
they're not your betters; they're not, your keeper
your heart should pitch, but it should not collapse.
your heart should learn from its fragility,
learn old lessons from those Bedouin; those-

desert nomads—show hospitality
towards other traveller's, guide, help foes
protect them like they were your family.
Cultivate a heart of neutrality,
but one that gives generously, freely.