NICU

Do not let them die

those fragile dream babies.

Feed them on your hospiced hopes,
swaddle their broken hearts
with your blankets
of patient practice;
persistent attention.
Let them breathe
of your hopeful hungers

also your sacred skeptics,

as they suckle on memories 
of cratered connections,

forge new and vital bonds

mirror the rhythmic beating --

the open, 
close, 
open --
of your hallowed heart.