I lay the swords
beneath the evergreens,
but you knew that.
I also lay old grievances
upon the swords,
for we have outgrown them.
They will be buried
low beneath the branches
so there will be no weapons to carry.

I will not burden my own
with my dreams,
for in another world
they have taken root.
The pattern of my days
with intensity and purpose,
shaped them.

There will be new dreams
for the young to fulfill.
No reason anymore
for the old to lay upon
the freshly crafted heart
the chafings of their envious spirit.

Life is weighted gold,
so sacredly guard it.
I wish to lay to rest
the long held grief
that each new generation
must assume the ancients’ maladies.
If anguish resides,
let us undo what we have done.
We give birth to those we hope
to be the best of who we are.
Children are no one’s property.
Their gift is to find and renew
their own sense of self.
To be given life in any dimension,
is to be hugely gifted.

Come, lay your swords beneath the evergreens.

photo by John Holmes