Lot's Wife

And he who was righteous
Loomed radiant, striding
Behind the lord's messenger up the black hill
But she walked reluctant-alarm
Spoke within her
It is not too late, you may look on it still
Upon the vermilion-stained
Towers of sodom
You spun in that court, and
You sang on that square
That house whose tall windows
Confront you with blankness
Once knew you, a bride
You bore your sons there

She turned to behold it, and
Pain was her master
Her eyes yearning toward
It could no longer see
Salt-white grew her body
The blood in it withered
Firm earth held her feet that
Would never go free

And is there not one who
Would weep for this woman
Or one who would find her
Loss bitter to brook?
Alone in my heart uneclipsed, unforgotten
Is she who gave over her life for one look