Poems for the Children
Children Gentle in the Twilight
Chris
jesus, jesus
The World is Brighter || Home
A Poem for Joshua and His Brothers
you ask me why
I haven't written a poem for you,
and it is not the why, but the how.
How do I put into words what is a part of me,
my flesh and blood,
what is too close and too precious
to share,
for fear of missing some part
or being inadequate in the telling.
How do I put on this paper
a piece of my heart ….
do I reach inside
and tear it out
and hold it up in front of my
eyes
examine it and
write about it ??????
How do I express the deep joy
the unconditional love
the great pride I have for you……
and capture it in printed words …..
Perhaps you do not understand that
you are not someone else apart from me…….
you are mine
you are the most important part of me my world
every day of my life
I don't need to pen myself to paper
and read about it later,
we exist together.
And so,
when you ask me why
I have not written a poem for you,
or your brothers,
I am sad because I realize I have been amiss
to not have told you why ….
so here is your poem
but it is not finished or complete
because the most special secrets of the heart
remain a secret
too difficult to express
in one solitary poem for you today.
children, gentle, in the twilight
children, gentle, in the twilight
playing in the misty snow;
i can see them
i can't hear them
heads like bobbing apples glow.
fire tickles me to slumber
heeding not my watchful eye,
suits are dark against the background
movements slackened by their load.
little feet and tender bodies
roll about the trampled snow,
banks have gathered angel outlines
dusty tresses far below.
children, gentle, in the twilight
harsh against the growing pale,
eager faces, small boy graces
calm the evening's slow repose.
Chris
Chris
son
brother
friend.
we said a formal goodbye to you today...
but you know...
it is never goodbye
but only hello, again...
for you will be with us
every waking moment.
of our lives.
you will be with us
in every breath we take
and every laugh we share.
when we gaze at the sunsets on the beach
you will sit beside us in spirit
and together
we will enjoy them.
when we walk silently in the forest
you will walk beside us
and marvel at the beauty.
when we gather as a family
you will be present...
watching and listening
and loving us.
And when it is night time
you will be our angel
sitting on our shoulders
guarding and caring
for each of us.
Chris...
our son
our brother
our friend
we love you and hold you always
in our memories
and in our hearts.
jesus, jesus
warm jesus,
holy jesus,
baby to the world...
starving
children,
aching
children,
babies
of the world...
gentle jesus,
mary's jesus,
resting deep in wait ...
dying children,
our
children,
moaning
as they wait
swaddled by the night's protection,
cradled drowsy at the breast;
helpless to what lay before him,
victim of his humanness...
shivering, shaking
in the darkness,
racked by pain
and hopelessness;
feeble hands reach
out for comfort,
grasping
withered, empty breasts.
wandering jesus,
hunted jesus,
oracle of love...
our jesus,
mystery jesus,
exiled out of fear...
suffering children,
desert children,
mirrors of despair...
our
children,
battered children,
wasted by the world.
jesus, jesus,
human jesus,
fugitive for us...
jesus, jesus,
human jesus,
bleeding in our arms.
The world is brighter
The world is brighter
and better
because of you…
You……..a sensational little boy,
so perfect and full of wonder,
so ready to join life and be part of its marvels.
You…….a brand new life,
who has made his entrance
amidst all of creation.
an uncharted future lies before,
like a royal carpet about to be unfurled,
fascinating adventures waiting to be
explored;
a universe patiently marking time
until your tiny footsteps
make their imprint
in the pathways of time.
The world is brighter
and better
because of you…
The world is wiser
and richer
and will never be
the same
again.
