original oil painting by Dylan Scott Pierce, 2014

I grew up around here
where a woman persevered
she calls me Dear
you cost too much

yesterday’s dust
the locust had eaten
love and trust
had taken a beaten

I mean to rest
but like Him I hunger
squash blossoms at best
trellised over
fell in ruins

aged faces still awake
makes by body ache
grace and mercy get acquainted
takes awhile to shake

slip off my sandals
squeeze the ground
light some candles
now I’m found

I’m not my past
I’m not my mother
home at last
I act into existence

I wish to rest
but like him I hunger
squash blossoms at best
trellised over
grow in numbers