artwork: carl larsson
The
Children
by
June Nirschl
A
tribute to the children
of Sandy
I
want to hear their names
the
soft and hard sounds
enunciated
by the mothers and fathers
who
loved them
who
planned for them
and
now grieve their loss
let
Noah Olivia
Catherine James
spill
from their mouths again and again
let
bereft voices groan with affection
for
Avielle Jack Jessica Emilie
champion
the innocence and hope
each
young life embodied
the
dreams hovering at the ready
to
ride a pony tease the neighbor save a life
let
Benjamin Dylan Caroline
Josephine
be
celebrated in prayer and rejoicing
I
want to hear their names
spun
like strands of silver across the winter sky
raised
in celebration for the love they shared
and
lifted Madeleine Allison
Daniel Ana
let
the names convey the beauty
these
fragile children carried
human
eyes of many hues hair of many shades
yet
still the carols sound melodies embracing
Jesse Chase Charlotte
these
children
our
sorrow
~
first published in the Peninsula Pulse
