madonnas with infants in their arms
soothe the sadness of the universe
peaceful in their tenderness
eternal in their half-smile

the walls whitened with worry
congeal in perfection
the corners cling to each other
the proper dimensions blossom

and there is a garden
water lilies bathe in the pools
a woman with slender fingers
holds a boy on her knees

*

I broke off the branch of love
I buried it in the earth
and look
my garden has blossomed

one cannot kill love
if you bury it in the earth
it grows back
if you toss it into the air
it grows leaflike wings
dropped into the water

it flashes with gills
immersed in the night
it shines

so I wanted to bury it in my heart
but my heart was home to my love
my heart opened its heart’s door
and it rang out with song from wall to wall
my heart danced on my fingertips

so I buried my love in my head
and people asked
why my head has blossomed
why my eyes shine star-like
and why my lips are brighter than the dawn

I wanted to tear this love to pieces
but it was supple it entangled my hands
and my hands are bound with love
people ask whose prisoner I am