The Mother Who Flew Away

When the mother flew away Her children ran all over the forest Searching after her, barefeet Until they turned it red With bleeding feet and hearts The moon rose to soothe Humming and hemming The tide of their sorrow Trailing feather fingers In her black hair of night Morning brought caked tears Bitter breakfast and the torn Leaves, the hope of the children Giving way down the river Carrying their wails Over and mountains away The souls' sinews stretched Trusting and failing, they Turned gossamer webs Across the world Where the mother had flown Away and toward, Around back, Through the seasons: Until the world Was wrapped with her soul, a gift for Her children--her immortal love never lost.