[for the parents]
Precious
one, my heart’s delight,
one, my heart’s delight,
I
helped you choose your clothes,
helped you choose your clothes,
Fed
you, packed your lunch, zipped your coat,
you, packed your lunch, zipped your coat,
And
sent you on your way.
sent you on your way.
How
far from me your way would take you
far from me your way would take you
I
couldn’t know.
couldn’t know.
Dear
heart, sweet face, soft hair, wide eyes,
heart, sweet face, soft hair, wide eyes,
Never
in my arms again.
in my arms again.
Last
night the hours crawled. How can I
night the hours crawled. How can I
Endure
the years to come?
the years to come?
Bright
laugh, young voice
laugh, young voice
Gone
quiet now,
quiet now,
And
all that’s left, a stillness bearing down
all that’s left, a stillness bearing down
Like
Atlas’s sky.
Atlas’s sky.
[for the rest of us]
Not
enough, the grief I feel.
enough, the grief I feel.
Insufficient
are my tears.
are my tears.
My
sympathy is impotent,
sympathy is impotent,
Here
where I sit, secure and safe,
where I sit, secure and safe,
Relieved
that theirs was not my lot
that theirs was not my lot
While
I muddle through my day’s work.
I muddle through my day’s work.
I
am horrified for them,
am horrified for them,
But
my feelings are inadequate.
my feelings are inadequate.
These
are my offerings:
are my offerings:
Prayer
that God be found at hand.
that God be found at hand.
Gifts
to causes that do good.
to causes that do good.
Support
for justice, and for peace.
for justice, and for peace.
Pouring
my heart in the words I write
my heart in the words I write
So
hope and dreams remain.
hope and dreams remain.
Above
all, patience with my own,
all, patience with my own,
So
my actions teach and testify
my actions teach and testify
Anger
is best met in loving ways.
is best met in loving ways.
©
2012, Julie Berry
2012, Julie Berry