On Grief and Ghosts

*ON GRIEF AND GHOSTS*
written 24/11/2021

In this clan
it is the Women
left standing.

Our hearts forced
open, stretched
and stengthened
to make room
for it all.

To bear it all —
the weight of
this world;
the love for
the Earth.

Mothers.
Daughters.

Death and
birth.

Biting back
both tears
and laughter.

Our shoulders,
bones petite,
squared against
the oncoming blaze.
One step forward
repeat.

Bearing children
and pain.
Time and again.

And the men
trail behind.

Ghosts and wraiths.

In this clan
it is the Women

And I wonder
when the Universe
will cease to be
so demanding.

|| alanna joanne