Gary Edward Geraci

Love for Love

Bulbous beads of molten solder

The creature’s tears well up

As if surging forth from a path

Of struck heart. Bits of moist chill

Filling across the lower lash

Both blurry and heavy; heavy and blurry

Until gravity grabs and free falls 

And splashes the cheek;

A shining slug trail streaking its

Descent; healing, healing though

Mourning...it is saved.

The cool stripes on its face,

A signature recompense for

The beaten and lashed; the bitter, bloody,

Burning, raw stripes - and felt

By His Most Sacred Heart.