Blood and Leaves

Shea Mullaney
copyright 2005 by Shea Mullaney, all rights reserved.
Used by permission.

I.

Towers collapse and there's not enough
blood to cover everyone.
He approaches the blood-letters
with arms bared, her closet clean.
He's ready to spill,
but he can't bleed
for them.

II.

His love comes free,
even for the two who break our scarecrow
and hang him on a morning fence -- look, a savior! --
parents are glad he's not their son.
No one loves a scarecrow the way crows do, a sacrifice
that gives them voice again. Another
restless mother comes up lame from slleep
to reach for the safety of children.

III.

Traditions rot the way a season digests leaves:
when the touch the ground, the leaves supply the darkness
that breeds the grubs and mycelium which eat them.
(Their MOther loves these pale creatures --
makes a place for them to grow.)
Law-holders shiver when they turn the leaves
to see this version of love underneath them,
spreading, sure of air
come May.

IV.

We wake naked today;
our closets are full of clothese
we never thought we'd wear,
and we're ready for the leaves.
The blood in our bare arms knows
love is free from version.

for Kim K., Matthew, Hillary, Julie, and Margaret

Massachusetts UU Congregations Show Their Pride

Unitarian Universalist Association
25 Beacon St. | Boston, MA 02108 | 617-742-2100