Leonardo da Vinci, The Virgin of the Rocks, ca. 1483–85, oil on wood transferred to canvas,
Leonardo da Vinci, The Virgin of the Rocks, ca. 1483–85, oil on wood transferred to canvas

Virgins had knelt with children before
at the womb of the Earth
in such spiritual dialogue
with each other 
Living forms speak of microcosms
of new life and of deaths to come
Uriel points to cycles of death
renewal in the macrocosm
outside the tomb
at the womb of the earth
before and again