I am woman and I have borne the Torah on a gold cloth <br />Over my shoulder. <br />I have consecrated its dust-leadened parchment, <br />Cradling the scrolls into temple darkness... <br />Clicked-shut the doors, saddened and empty. <br />I am of childbearing age... <br />I am crimson with life. <br />I have touched the Ark. <br />I have read the Covenant. <br /> <br />I cannot lighten the laws of heaven. <br />I have nothing to do with clouds or sin, but <br />I could have shown them where Eden was hidden... <br />The forgotten way going home again. <br /> <br />I have caressed the male god on his couch <br />In a ghost-haunted room, a candle-dark room... <br />Remembering a soul, but eyes with no spark. <br />I have soothed his forehead in the dead hours, <br />Softening his terror, silencing his scream, <br />'Mother, do not leave me again'. <br /> <br />I cannot replace the laws of heaven. <br />I have nothing to gain from angels or sin, but <br />I put him on the road to Eden... <br />The long-hidden path going home again. <br /> <br />I am woman and I come adorned with a <br />Mitre of thorns. <br />I own salvation, blessed and chaliced... <br />Giving to sinners, <br />Selling to saints. <br />I have witnessed the sins of gods. <br />I have dried the unwarranted tears of Eve. <br />I have confessed and absolved the dead. <br /> <br />I will not revise the laws of heaven. <br />I will not tamper with death or sin, but <br />I will wait for you in Eden... <br />At the end of the road going home again.<br /><br />elysabeth faslund<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/earth-woman/
