fire and shadows
delights bestowed
the steady wind of you
blows so unceasingly
begging the question
'will I stand if it ceases?'
your constant pressure upon me
support I have grown around
a parasitic symbiosis
granting easy life
by invading the mortar of my joints
you are a beautiful creature
time has bestowed you
gifts
your youth's cacoon
chrysalis
silken shroud
scarified and removed
you as I met you
in ninety-six
returned
youth remains in your eyes
motherhood has polished
your soul
abrading the residue of
poisonous thoughts
cleansed mind
washed in time and tear
roots cut at the trunk
'we are not trees'
picked up and shaken
free to dance.