once
she was whole
huge enough
to wrap her
arms around
these city walls

a porous
guardian
filtering out
pain

just her head
remains traces
of pink upon
her cheek
plump lips
red

poppies red
ever present
in the garden
this long
summer

i gift them
to you
Goddess
you knew
your place
and purpose

and sister
i know
your body
returns
to the earth
while your soul
runs wild