from the shrub a rose opens
murder me at your will
I am 
ever-growing
from roots deeply rooted in the soil
nurturing and nurtured from the earth
overflowing
strong—I bend
I cry
torrents of rain
stronger-willed and patient
I hold the world
inside the rose

another rose opens
while life seeps out 
from the vase
you neglect to water
I am 
the Goddess you forgot
the stalk
the leaves fester
from within 
the petals the truth flows
the sword will not kill
I hold the world
inside this rose
and wonder about the pain

about—everyday life anesthetics: 
small quotidian details of 
work dishes sweeping mopping 
slicing washing cooking
scrubbing counters bodies floors
no conversation to stop time
to ignite 
the burning of a star
I am 
unmoored 
I gave my life for one look at the bloody mystery
the muses weave from the branches
of trees, flowers and veins breathing
truth from within.