10/19/08 Vessels

The basket can collect the seeds,
though the smallest of them may fall
through the broken switches.

And the jug can carry the water,
though some may slosh over the side
and more still may sweat out in the heat.

The sling can hold the baby there
swinging against mama's working body,
and she may be whole for now.

But she will bleed and lose those pieces
that the moon drags out of her,
that she knew she'd have to give back.