Reach toward her
the little one
there in your hurts and fears
Look toward her, not away

You take your soldier to war
guardian at the perimeter
with the rationale of defence
yet she is bereft

Look toward him
the little one
tucked underneath the carapace
hidden from your tender heart

You are discourteous in attack
blind to empathy
righteous in argument and in thesis
yet none are healed or reassured

Look inward soldier
to the little one
his fear has become your fear

Look inward soldier
to the little one
her fear has become your fear

The child within is not yet comforted




MChallis © 2014