Hestia the Housewife

Morning had Hestia
allergic to wood smoke
The home of her hearth
filled with the sultry perfume of cedar

Lungs sputtering and spasming
Agony lain upon Eros' target
as the plumes permeated
a heart that was always ajar

Raising a rag to her nose, near asphyxiation
As though Poseidon himself
had pulled her under his sea
She stepped outside to watch day break

Helios rising to break apart the night
and witness this morning ritual of solitude
steam carried away by the Four Winds
from her daily cup of relief and readiness

And back to the hearth
her lot in life
the short stick she had drawn:
To keep those in her life warm
no matter how much it hurt

Photo © Richard Croft (cc-by-sa/2.0)

Note: For those who aren't familiar with Greek Mythology, Hestia is the virgin goddess of the hearth and home. She presides over the house and family, and other things related to domesticity.