Sister love, oh sister dove,
Apart, we share the skies above,
Though the clouds obscure the moon,
We will dance in gardens soon
And hum our ancient female runes.
We tend our chicks and feel the boon
Of souls uncounted in our genes
Who offer surcease, whispers, dreams.
Their times and faces, nucleotide laces,
Have shaped and taught my heart to sing–
That swelling, aching, guardian thing.
It matters not that you feel fear,
Your mother love will persevere,
And help you walk through caves of ice
You light a fire that casts warm light
And makes the glacial place a home.
Outside the frozen boughs wind-groan,
I dream of quilting at your feet,
Our children safe, our homes asleep
Despite the certain and unknown
Our love endures, is deep, has grown.
Paula Lyons, MD
2/3/97