Alternative Motherhood

She mothers in other ways……

The Empress in a robe of pomegranates

calls you

and leads you

into the lush forest

to stand with the trees

as one

and fill your belly with fallen fruits.

Magdalene dries a frog’s wet feet with her long Venus hair, smiles and receives a croak in return.

The Wife of Bath

A deaf seamstress

sits at the table of faeries

crushing scarlet beetles

to dye tiny clothes for her friends.

Aerial sits on the edge of the boat

dipping her pale flesh into the water,

offering a handcup to the kingfisher.

Tempestina waits for the storm to subside

and sighs

as she spots a ship on the horizon.

They are safe!

She cries.

Gaia’s undulations

comfort a crying face

when there is nobody left.

It is dear Ms.Eyre

hugging the earth,

like a mother.