In the sound
And the fury of
Life unfolding
I lose my breath
And reach deep for courage.
The babe—lurching
And stumbling—-ever
Flirting with sharp edges
Two scrawny cousins
Exploring the wonders
Of the creek—-clams
Worms—dragonflys
The girls are proudly
Creating happy works of art,
While the mothers
Chat and fuss and cook.
I fill myself with this
Remembering
It will warm me
On darker days
I feel the sinking
Stone of grief
No more am I young
A carefree girl
Nor busy mother
Nurturing new life
I now am called to
Stand as witness,
The Crone whose
Silent presence
Shelters all.
– jml (2002)
