multiples of seven

d. ellis phelps

May 12, 2024

“…it is better to be whole than to be good…”

—John Middleton Murry

mother

will you 

meet me

on the       other 

side

will you 

leave       your 

resting head 

head on over

to the pearly gates

when it is time

      ~

when it is time

will you 

break      the veil

of understanding

like eve      (formidable 

woman)       mother

lover

wife

one of us

will you meet me

      ~

will you meet me

under the tree

knowing (what

we know) and

going anyway

i hope 

i never 

have to see

him      again

you said

speaking of

karma

      ~

you left 

      your body

&

me      wondering

still       whether

(or not)

love is

eternal

      ~

i haven’t      been

good      

(neither were you

      completely)

lord have mercy

christ have mercy

we tried

i am trying

still      to keep

(impossible

      commandments)

promises

to forgive     

in multiples

of seven

      ~

you and your

surrender

having gone

before me

—stained

      as i am

mother

will you

meet me

on the      other

side

d. ellis phelps’ work has appeared widely online and in print. She is the author of four poetry collections and one novel and the editor of Moon Shadow Sanctuary Press (MSSP) and of the digital journal fws:  international journal of literature & art where she publishes the work of others