Entering the Garden,

sparrows burst up from the shallows,

Long grasses fluttering between their wings.

And I saw her there - head bowed - hands in prayer,

Hoping, longing that she will survive long enough to prosper.

Heavy with seed

Responsibility of carrying so much life weighs upon her,

she can no longer look straight ahead.

she leans forward she wonders who will come next.

First came the rodents - picking off her sisters,

Fates tied to feed the lives of others.

Then came the beautiful ones,

bees and butterflies taking their share

unable to quench their thirst.

Her beauty on display - she had so much to give,

and there she stood alone.

While Sparrows steal seeds.

By herself she could not satisfy them all.

Their needs driven by hunger and looming depths of winter - of fear -

their bodies pushed to gather everything she had.

The lawn mower roared and a plane flew overhead.

Cars swept along the road and I tended to garden beds.

While she stood head bowed, giving everything of herself -

hoping to live long enough for her children to prosper.

Poem called Questions

Dancing with Grief