Uncontained

“Belief is as hard as a hickory nut
that cracked holds many mansions.”
—Pat Schneider

If my belief were a hickory nut
I’d keep it safe in my pocket
easy to find with fumbling fingers.
When challenged
I’d take it out
say here, see this.
This is what I believe.

But my belief won’t be contained,
won’t stay in pockets
any more than the green gloves
lost last week,
or milkweed fluff
or dry oak leaves
or yellow butterflies.