the mother at the cross

with the damning disbelief

and shock searing her bones, electric

tears carving permanent stains

and powerful earthquakes shuddering

her collapsed body

as her heart is laid bare, there,

when she, bent over,

is lifted

by her Mother before, Sisters beside

Daughters to come, there comes

the heartbeat of fortitude

and strength, her spine, bent

will erect just as those trees turned gallows

and she now knows the challenge

that trees are meant to be bent,

to resist temptation

of splintering, and the Forest

will protect her, watered by her tears,

watered by Love.