Martha: A Diet of Tears 

Maria Fee

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way,

he came to a village where a woman named

Martha opened her home to him. Luke 10:38

Hallowed preparation call;

how honed steel breaks through

onion, whose tattered outside

coat crackles like pitch in fire.

Now fragrant incense rises to

bring lacrimatory plea

long held composed. Come, Duty,

bid these hoarded tears, unroll.

Down, beyond face, neck, arms trace

path back to garden's fall.

Bulb, broken, nourishes all.