She birthed them

like oleaster seeds

one after another

And fed them

their whole bodies swelling,

vomiting.

She nursed them

brimming with falling pomegranate seeds

gathering them one by one

wiping away the oozing liquid

sheltering them in her palm.

Abandoned memories

in the alder’s shade

Waves of mountains, layer upon layers

Left-over dreams

Picking through pebbles

She birthed them

one after another

She fed them

breath by breath

She nursed them

Until her breasts wrinkled,

one by one.

Within the torn wing

A hollow left by eaten grass

The repair of the birthing hut

can wait until tomorrow