Naomi

Ruth 1:1-18 

I said no more to her,
no more to make her
turn from me, return to be
daughter to her mother again,
my friend, my daughter, my
only and my all.

I said no more to her,
no more words, no breath
to speak them, meet the words
she flung at me, wrung for me
from her naked soul, my all,
my friend, my daughter.

I said no more to her,
no more suggestion I could
live beyond her turning, no
denying life's insistence that I
try, and, silenced by the fright
I took her hand and turned for home.