Please, God, should we ever be in the wrong place at the wrong time,
caught in the chaos of someone's not-right mind and broken heart
let my body be the shield
that muscles between the harm and my child
let my quick-thinking
wedge us into safe corners
let me muster all of my swiftness to run
and strength to carry
my child and me into the light of day
where people who can help
will be standing and hoping
where the hearts of a nation
will be pounding and praying
And please, God, if my son stands
in a moment of terror alone
wrap him in the palm of your hands
and send him to me as soon as you can
For all the mothers who have shared this prayer
to their own gods and higher powers and unknown universes,
steady our breaths and palpitations
into one beat, one thought
that hums loud enough and low enough
to blanket the mothers who have lost
sons and daughters and partners and their own lives
who have frantically searched through crowds
who have been covered in someone's blood
who have never healed from the gaping hole
that it must be to watch a child die.
Please, God, envelope us today
so that the love is greater than the pain
and our worlds are turned back on their axes
and our babies are safe in their beds again.
Thank you for your beautiful words at such a sad, senseless time.
Posted by: Erin | July 20, 2012 at 11:57 AM
Oh Jessica, my heart hurts so much. Your words are beautiful.
Posted by: ilinap | July 20, 2012 at 04:39 PM
So beautiful and so in synch with so many.
Posted by: Brett | July 20, 2012 at 04:48 PM
Thank you, Jessica.
Posted by: Cindy Fey | July 20, 2012 at 05:01 PM
Yes Jessica, yes.
Posted by: Mommyfriend | July 20, 2012 at 05:21 PM
Beautiful.
Posted by: Kristen | July 20, 2012 at 06:06 PM
My hear says the same. and you just have to hold your breath sometimes. <3
Posted by: Dora "Dooritos" | July 20, 2012 at 06:56 PM
Beautifully written, thank you for your words.
Posted by: Lizzy | July 20, 2012 at 07:36 PM
Beautifully said. tears**
Posted by: Lina@fancy frugal life | July 21, 2012 at 12:51 AM
Wonderfully, heart-rendingly written. Thank you.
Posted by: Kat | July 21, 2012 at 08:34 PM
So beautifully written, thank you for sharing your heart in such a poignant way
Posted by: Rebecca | July 22, 2012 at 10:59 AM