Poem for The Holy Innocents Matthew 2:13-18

Among the Pure and Innocent Cries

of a Newborn Child

Come the shrill reminders

of a world

---- and systems

far from that touch of life

a child brings

Far from

the trusting eyes

of love

that want only someone to show caring

Far from this

lies

our world

of agendas

and power and money

shock and awe

collateral damage

and the bleeding, smoldering bodies

of someone else’s child

and the nations play the game

of vying for position 

to make the world a better place
through the moans of death

and lifeless bodies

that are the victims of

what we claim

is a better world

Hear that cry

so pure and innocent

of a newborn child

and remember

what power and ambition and money

disguised as caring and freedom

can do