J.B. Hogan’s most recent poem to appear here was “An Offer of Light” (December 2017)

The Mantle
By J.B. Hogan

She wears a mantle
not seen but strong
forged in pain, in fire,
shaped by loss, by need,
by death in life.

A mantle light,
her beauty unmarring,
enhanced.

She wears a mantle
over scars unseen,
against buffeting storm
in day, in night.

A mantle light,
her world protecting,
advanced.

She wears a mantle,
beauty undiminished,
against the night
against the dark
her world to guard,
her world to save.