A Bernadette Soubrious poem for Helen from John

Born with a Pyrenean name
the Japanese for Pliedes
She went gathering wood
to heat the debtors prison
Where her parents lived.
And met an angel
Generously she lay on the bonedry dust
Drew forth a healing spring
said " Mother" moved to love at last
she never once said in all the years
What if it is not true

John Villeneuve sur Lot  April 2005

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