Execution

Mothers throughout time have had to witness the execution of their sons, whether they be criminals or political martyrs. The suffering is the same. Helpless witness, Mary comforts as best she can.

Can you hear me?

Don’t look at them

Look at me

 

See, my son?

I’m here with you,

Right here with you

 

We walk this path together

And bear the cross together

Your shoulders, my heart…Together.

 

Can you hear me?

Don’t look at them

They only make it worse.

 

Get up my son

Steady, steady,

You(we) can(will) rise

 

Look, Simon is here!

You can make it now

We will make it now

 

Can you hear me?

We are here

I’m right here with you

 

My son, it’s nearly over

Eyes only on me now,

Only me.

 

I love you so much, my child

Together we are pierced

Your body, my heart…

 

Can you hear me?

Close your eyes

And rest, my sweetness,

It is finished

Author's Note

This is dedicated to all mothers, fathers of convicted children. Justified or not, the pain of losing a child to execution is the same.

Reviews

[steppenwolf]

Mary: I was almost afraid to read this one but I did and I'm happy I did. Just to imagine this takes a lot of courage. I have a son who has faced death many times--he's a part of the United Nations' Peacekeeping Forces--and believe me, I've spent a good amount of the time he's away praying to God to keep him safe. Thank you for writing this. You are accomplishing a lot by going where these poems lead you and telling us about it.

Steppenwolf.

[Mary]

First let me say blessings and thank you to your son who risks his life every day to keep the Peace. Thank you also for your kind review. I have always believed that the person of Mary represents a kind of "everywoman" and there is much we can learn from this very very strong woman.

[Coyote Poetry]

A very sad poem. So much sadness in our world bring suffering into our heart. Watching your son die would be a painful experience. The poem description was filled with emotion and brought the vision of tears. Thank you for sharing the excellent poem.
Coyote

[mandy]

the last line,,,it is finished....speaks to me....what incredible sacrifice for us,,,this Child of God and Mary. no other mother could have suffered more.

[Mary]

thank you, Mandy. I'd like to agree with you, but the very sad truth is that mothers witness the execution of their children every day in this sometimes very violent world we live in. I think Mary and her experience may bring comfort to those mothers.

[lee von cleef]

Person to thing , the act ,happens daily ,just never feels right in my human form.Such
a gift you have given to remind me that I have today. thank you.

[Jibey]

Enters with feeling into the sword that pierced the heart of Mary as she joined her son on the road to Calvary... Only a mother could know the love that made the agony so sweet, the pain soothed by her heart and the piercings war but tenderly touched by her gentle hand.

A poem of profound beauty

[Mary]

Thank you. Yes, she was warned that a sword would pierce her heart. I may change the word die to pierce.

[Pax]

hauntingly sad, like an echo of plea..
great work!

[Mary]

Thank you. It saddened me to write it

[Pax]

me too the title itself makes the point, sacrifice is a hard emotional topic.
your welcome.

[Mark]

Wow! I've always found the greatest writings are simple and honest. There is nothing contrived here, simply a mother helping her son through terrible torment and suffering to his death. You've portrayed so well it looks easy.

I'm literally wiping tears from my eyes. A wonderful write Mary!

[Mary]

thank you for your review. and we both know this is a situation that happens each and every day in our sometimes outrageously cruel world.

[Mark]

The world is cruel, the world is kind. Give kindness power by continuing your wonderful writing and you help maintain balance. :)

[marytownsend]

This is amazing work! I had tears in my eyes feeling the pain of mothers who are watching their sons die at someone elses hand and the helplessness of it. As good writing does, this tugs at your heart. Great poem!

[Mary]

Thank you, Mary. Sons are executed every day. Mary is an archetype of mothers of such sons, in my opinion.

[MaryBee]

so so sad. you are a great writer

[New Dawn]

Powerful piece of writing - as a mother myself I could never imagine this scenario but I know deep down I would need to support my child every step of the way - no matter the harshness of the way . very thought provoking.

[Mary]

thank you, unfortunately with the world as it is, many mothers must do just that

[Dean]

A great deal of appropriate impact here, I felt it---the result of good writing.

[Mary]

thank you. many parents experience this today, and I wrote this for them.