PRAYER FOR EARTH

Mother, with your soft breath
kissing my cheeks.

More than skyscraper tall,
you are all I can see

even in the city,
the surprise of you

arched blue over brick,
the stars your sequined gown.

peeking green shoots through concrete,
winking in shattered glass.


Mother, with your weeping
willow hair, catkin fingers

the steel strength of your arms,
you held me when there was no one else.

Your tidal heart beat in waves
I dropped my own salt water loss

into the eternity of your mercy
and you gentled me as though I were a stone.

You made me strong. Birthed me
again and again in leaf rot and rampion root.

Each a little death, those transitions.
How good.

I do not forget.
To owe a debt like that one is a privilege.

Goddess put the words in my mouth
to take your part, to fight your cause.

I love you more than my comfort.