Hearth

Sitting on the green carpet
Heat sinks into brown tiles
Holes torn in the couch covered with duct tape
Nonno’s green chair rocking back and forth
Wooden blocks scattered on the floor

Wet socks and pants hanging over the fireplace guard
The ankles soaked from falling in the creek
Muddy gumboots lined up at the front door
Laughter distinguishes the sound of the old tv
The football match plays on the CRT screen

Chestnuts roasting over the burning red flame
The well-used metal pan with it’s long wooden handle
Sitting on the floor, the wooden stools, and the couch
Plates in hands with a serving of Nonna’s osso bucco
Picking bits of the cheesy polenta from the sides of the pot

Wrestling Nonno on the floor while parents talk on the couch
The cheerful fire crackles and sizzles filling the room with warmth
Brothers, sisters, cousins, parents, in-laws all under the one roof
Together they laugh, they cry, they smile and they love
Altogether around the fireplace