WARRIORS ALL
(for my Sons)

These words were written for my sons many years ago, after their father and I divorced. On a weekend visitation, he stole them away and went abroad, hiding them there until they were grown. I read this poem at a university literary gathering of 250 people in the early nineties. That night, when I got home, there was a message from my Father that my sons had found us on their own. We left the next day to go to them.

You have seen the chaos of war
in a marriage, even the ruins of
hypocritical peace, until he spirited
you far away from me,
to parts unknown

I continue to search, my fair
sons, following crumbs through
the woods with no clue

I am warrior with no time
to weep. There is no planet too
vast that I cannot cover
every inch, to seek you
in the face of each
stranger

Though I may be gray with
old age, the day will come, it
will come, and all the hounds of
Hell will not hold me back

Until that blessed day, my
children, I send you these thoughts
which I aim at the sky, praying
they will glance off the stars
back to you

Be pragmatists in your
observations, but act always
with strong optimism

Fight hard for the truth.
They'll forget who built
all these false temples
but they'll clearly remember
who burned them
down

Be worthy of honor, not
cheap lifetime fame...let them say
your names like a prayer
after death

Steel your eyes and sharpen
your words  so you can fight even
with severed hands

You are sons of the Universe,
proud souls I adore and  
never deserved to lose

Keep strong in your hearts that we
are warriors, warriors all, and know
that I have loved you far more than
a cross or a crown

--Jo VonBargen early 90's