HERALD

If it’s all stripped away

and I’m just a mother

wife, daughter, sister, friend

(lacking real title)

will I be empty?

If I’m never published

widely read

known

widely wanted,

will I matter?

If I spend my days

with small words

barely understood

barely understanding,

will I exist?

I am wounded by time.

“My wound is as deep as the sea.

Who can heal me?”

Mount Zion is where all

moments, memories, magic

gather at the seam

of me.

Pulled tight and taut and layered,

I remember and am and dream:

All the same, in the city of God.