The Keeper

"even in laughter
the heart is sorrowful"
Proverbs 14:13

There are many names
for sorrow, the first
is mother; black flower,

wide, silent berth, a place
for dreaming. Hands,
breasts, a constant source

of grieving. Bones
of my bones, shadow
of my shadow, a light

listening, a voice reading,
a candle gathering memories
like moths of making, sensible

unending keeper.