with gratitude to Rachel Kellum
holding out the olive branch,
surprised to see the end’s
been set on fire—
oh foolish woman who hesitates
to drop it before she is burned
*
olive tree,
may you grow many branches,
may I prune you often
but not to the point of risking the roots—
for now, here is water, time
I like those last ingredients: water and time. But the burning branch in the peace offering, ouch!