lattice question
Harvey S. Mozolak

do we climb the hard hill        
with stabbing spear and deflecting shield
much like an occupying soldier
armed ruthless with oppression
or as a gawking crowd
spit-mouthed by curses choking silent fears
or drawn with tears and stumbling
bereft like mother and fumbling brother
or does the ascent of the attached
anointed by blood
carry and lift us there
branches bound to bud
of his bruised and bleeding vine
seeping the answer
that uncurls our turned within?