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
It is unfortunate that anyone has to lose their children...missing out on school plays and graduations, loose teeth and birthdays, early crushes or the daily routine of growing up in the middle of good times and bad...but to never have known them is a greater tragedy or to never be reunited would be a war never won. This is excellent writing and expression and I thank you for sharing this treasure.
Jo,
A deep heartfelt plea and offering. I lost one infant when I was 19 to horific occurances and then two sons later when their mother and I divorced. We didn't find each other until decades later. Thank you for the vision.
budd
what a beautiful poignant call and message...'i am a warrior with no time to weep'...says it all about mothers around the world protecting their young...human,mammal,reptile....what an incredible piece.
Dear readers, this is my third book of poems, and inside are a special collection of what have turned out to be not only MY personal favorites, but also the favorites of many of YOU. Some of these have never been available in print before...
The songs and art in this book are about our collective emergence after the pandemic and trauma of the last few years - comprised of 5 collections: World as Refuge, Where We Live, In Our Hands, Rhythms of Change and What We See & Sow.
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I cannot fathom parents who steal their children over selfish desire or hatred. The damage done to the children in this process is immense.
Ron
A deep heartfelt plea and offering. I lost one infant when I was 19 to horific occurances and then two sons later when their mother and I divorced. We didn't find each other until decades later. Thank you for the vision.
budd