From the Fragments

After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, "Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?" He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, "Six months' wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little." One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?" Jesus said, "Make the people sit down." Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, "Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost." So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, "This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world."

When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself. John 6:1-15 

From the Fragments

We are those who walked that trail

by force for removal so another could thrive

we could disappear into the dark west wind

never to be seen in need again.

We are the ones who became fragments

bits and pieces of who were once were

fierce warriors, tender mothers artists all

split into only our desperate hungry selves 

hoping only to live beyond the winter.

We are the ones who tear the bread apart

who share the pieces, softening them 

for the young and the old who we feed

by hand as the nestle in our arms.

We are the ones who are called to sit

brought together again in the soft spring grass

welcomed home on this gentle slope

we are gathered up and no longer lost.