Lost

I am resigned,
ashes of the woman I once was

assalted and surrendering

to the great draft of a life
lived under watchful eyes
of a god who didn't know
how to love
anyone

as much as he loved
himself.

I have become the diaspora
of my own soul's company,
wandering lost in the desert--
alone and thirsty for a retreat

where the bitter voice of warning
learns to forgive

and capitulation
is a solution
my many sisters and I
can learn to accept as ransom
for less than the truth

over strong tea
and sweet songs
are sung at the return
of the long
and darkest
winter nights.