The Sinless Stone

Inside her desert of a life,

she was Joseph’s perfect wife:

Jane wore husband-chosen clothes,

she withered like a late-plucked rose,

coloured inside all his lines,

refused the first of any wines,

brought-up his darling mini-her,

learned to be silent or concur.

She sought water, wished for rain,

wished to feel the sap again,

to feel something that wasn’t just alone,

and – once - to simply deliquesce,

and, finally, having said her yes,

await the pain of the sinless stone.