Daily Signet

I have been through the cycle eternal
of what was before birth,
increasing from two cells 
to a universe,
small and swimming,
so tightly held,
the only exit became my first threshold.

I have been through the cycle eternal
of the child.
Growing a body
with potentia for creation and death,
a mind with thoughts
increasing from words to worlds. 

I have been through the cycle eternal
of the possible bride
to its reality as wife,
stretching to encompass
two within a single skin.

I have been through the cycle eternal
of the mother,
stretching again that skin of two in one
to shelter six,
growing a roof, a kitchen, a lap,
two hands to rock and haul and hug,
to hold close while turning each child
out toward the world.

I have been through the cycle eternal of the family in reverse,
watching each child walk, run or dance away
to his own life.

I have been through the cycle eternal of daughter 
from my own birth to the death of my parents.

I am in the cycle eternal of the grandmother,
the bubbe,
re-growing a roof, a kitchen, a lap,
this time knowing that
I shelter and nourish
not just the body and mind
but the soul of each dear small one.

I am in the cycle eternal
of matron
of medicine woman
of wise crone.

Soup from my ladle
contains sustenance eternal,
seasoned with wisdom and great love. 

Donna Piper Leichtling

On This Day…

Ogden Nash born in Rye, N.Y. (how appropriate!), died 1971: poet of light verse
Works: The Tale of Custard the Dragon, Ogden Nash’s Zoo
Quotes: “To keep your marriage brimming, with love in the loving cup, whenever you’re wrong, admit it – whenever you’re right, shut up.”  “A door is what a dog is perpetually on the wrong side of.” “Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker.”