Tuesday, November 10, 2009

While My Child Sleeps


Written by: the heart of AmandaLyn


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I watch lovingly as my child sleeps
Wrapped in blankets warm, secure
Roof and shoes, bellies full.
Reality the calm disturbs
In dangerous and different world
Another son makes sacrifice
Soul or limb or still-young life
His mother waits in pride and fear
As my child sleeps.

Around this bed, in wispy realm
The souls of those who daily chore
To stand a watch, to lead patrol
To guard the weak, protect, defend
To stay the course until the end
As their children slept.

And what of those once there, now home
The horrors, torments they have known
Still borne by them, in dreams relived
For us endured, courageous fear
Now tossed aside, unheard, uncared
Still they cannot sleep.

Our nature true is eye for eye
Each baby born must some day die
But learned minds their cross to bear
To fight the fight not just for might
To earn the right, Before in
Ivory tower sleep.

Forgive me please, I beg of you
My words won’t salve tormented soul
Or broken hearts those mothers know
No peace of mind can I provide
Just deep respect and thankful prayer
I wish you peace and restful sleep

To you a promise I will make
This blanket comfort we will not take
For granted, he will know its source.
And if, dear God, he heads a call
That issues I hope from honest ivory hall
We both will trod in footsteps deep
Where slippers paced, where boots have trod
My head held high, in secret cry
As he, in fearful courage fights.

But until then, with blanket clutched
I’ll stand the watch, you have my back
As my child sleeps.

5 comments:

Denise Baer said...

This is a beautiful and wonderful poem. Great job, AmandaLyn

Anonymous said...

thanks so much, Bea. It is an important day, for many reasons. Thank you for reading it

AmandaLyn

Prof. Charles Harkwood said...

I love your work my friend. I was wondering if you would be interested in exchanging links with my blog: http://mellifluoustones.blogspot.com/
If you are please email me at hrkwood@gmail.com

Paula and Elwood's Poetic Palace said...

Thank you Prof. Harkwood

I would be glad to exchange links.

jeanebee said...

Your poem brought tears to my eyes...how beautiful and touching. I have 5 grandsons, all still young and safe at home.

My heart aches for those who have lost their loved ones.

May God watch over all of them.