picture by Allan Allsaitis















This meager offering... for the First Responders... finding a child...

THE FOREVER NIGHTMARE

The tragedy nobody wants to see.
The new...
lifeless body of a child.

How do you not hold them?
How do you morn?

Then, there is so often...
to often...
The Mother... the Father.

I've stood there... in the rain...
Rain, that washes your soul...
of hope.

Like the whirlpool
sucking...
grasping...
pulling...
down...
to the darkest depths below...
The forever nightmare.

I've stood there...
With the Mother...
With the Father...

You have absolutely nothing to give...
Yet... you give all.

You know what?

Even God could not look...
When the Star of Heaven cried...
God could not watch.
Heaven closed her eyes.
Creation shook at the horror...
Of the broken Child.

OH, SUN, WHY DID YOU FLEE!
OH, MOON, WHAT OF YOUR GLOW!
OH, STARS, WHERE YOUR GLEAM!
OH, MIGHTY ANGELS, COWERING BEHIND SILVER WINGS!
In that greatest moment of desperation...
Why did you hide!
Not even a single drop of presence...
Save the vinegar...

Bitter cup.

All I know is that...

You know.

Would you hold them...
Through me?
For just a moment...
Could I die with them?

Then...
would you...
hold...
me.

xtnyoda, shalomed... yet shaken