darling: poems by colleen cosette goodman

love is so supple and kind

The heart is something one would perhaps wish to clean
If I could wash it I would
In holy water
I feel the tension lodged on my back as I scrubbed with raw linen
There is one who was nailed to tree and wood for me
And yet I cannot praise in the quiet blanket of shame
Love is so supple and kind
God is love and that is the truth
Why must love be concealed?
Why must shame overtake?
The Good Lord knows all but sometimes
I wish He would let me in on a few secrets
I just want peace and quiet and to work through what I must
In the blistering sun, heat stripping across one's back
One must say to herself under the scourge of labor
If God is God let God be God