Posted by Elizabeth Trahan Berry from dsl092-186-031.sfo1.dsl.speakeasy.net (66.92.186.31) on Sunday, March 23, 2003 at 4:13PM :
In Reply to: Poets Against the War posted by Esperanza from 66-52-12-221.lsan.dial.netzero.com (66.52.12.221) on Wednesday, February 05, 2003 at 11:16PM :
Two-Letter Word
I am imagining
the pain, the hunger
of your other children,
Mother.
You have prepared
a table before each
of us, yet some of
us have stolen
the food off the
plates of others.
We have grown fat
and soul-sick from our
stolen goods, while
your other children
are thin, undernourished
and dying of starvation.
You have instructed us
to stop our greedy ways,
to love all as ourselves,
but we have forgotten
how in the habits of our
selfishness.
You are rising up
from the head of
your long table, Mother,
to teach us to share and
share alike, to develop
compassion one for
another.
I feel the fury of
your deep
disappointment
in us and know your
lessons burn like fire.
You abhor ungratefulness
and
pride of place
and station,
loving all your children
as much as you do.
The learning of these
lessons will be painful,
wounding, terrible and
terrifying.
Our heads will roll
and once again you
will dance your dreadful
dance.
I take comfort, Mother,
knowing you provide
rebirth after death,
food after famine,
peace after war,
love after indifference.
I am imagining your
other children, Mother.
Elizabeth Trahan Berry 2-28-03
-- Elizabeth Trahan Berry
-- signature .