Open Hearted

We say, Open your heart!--
But the heart does not open,
Though it feels clenched,
Yes, clenched tight
Armoring us
Against grief, against anger,
Against pain,
Against life.
We open,
Open to the heart.
The heart is there,
All, all the time,
Shining in the darkness,
Waiting,
Silent,
For us to turn our eyes
And open,
Sighing gently,
To the heart,
Which has been open all the time.