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.

[Shimmerbliss/CAF]

I almost didn't want to read this as I knew it would be heartbreaking. You have done a wonderful job in writing this. My heart is breaking, as I knew it would be. This is extremely moving.

[emmajoy]

In spite of your seemingly gentle wording, the emotion behind this post is incredibly powerful. The love of a either parent for a child is such a protective, all-encompassing one .. perhaps, just perhaps the one who carried and bore the baby wants to keep him or her close and safe forever and in any way.

[Bobbie Coelho]

This is very stark, which is not surprising given its subject. The poem is full of love and shows the truth of it: when you kill the child, you kill the parents, maybe not in fact but in spririt, I felt myself lifted by that love. I like this poem

[Bobbie Coelho]

Very powerful, full of emotion. This is a brave subject to write about and you've done it well. Thank you,

[Mary]

Thank you, Bobbie. I wrote this for all mothers who must witness the suffering and death of their children, helpless to do anything but offer love. It happened to Mary, and it happens all the time today.

[...]

oh Mary...this was heavy! I can feel it in my chest :(

[Mary]

thank you, Lynn. no parent should have to go through this, yet it happens every day, not only to JC and his mother Mary. I dedicated this poem to all of them

[FJ Davis]

Utterly beautiful and profoundly touching.
Amazing, Mary!

[Mary]

Thank you0

[Emrick]

so sad.a son has never been a burden to his mama.i agree with you that they are helpless witnesses.My
my neighbour has a gay son.his father divorced the mother when he learnt that there son is gay. .Mothers have angelic hearts.I wish i had a girlfriend with the virtues like of my mama.

[Mary]

thank you, Emrick. This is dedicated to all moms who witness the murder (execution) of their children all over the world, and who can only comfort them with their eyes.

[Tattered Teddy]

HOW SAD ... wow this is making me feel very emotional. Good job indeed.

[James Paulin]

I think capitalization and punctuation should only be used to emphasize or enhance poetry. Form and style add to particular verbiage in potent poems as well. Simplicity and conciseness are important as well.

[Mary]

Thanks, James. This is really helpful advice. A "science nerd" by choice, I have discovered that reading and writing poetry is such a healing venue of communication, but I have much to learn about form, etc. Thanks again.

[RachelReaper]

technically, punctuation is not needed in poetry, its more freestyle, so I wouldn't say that punctuation is really an issue. And... who has time to focus on punctuation when your telling such a heart wrenching tale through a poem?! Mary is trying to comfort her dying son, even when it feels like she is dying herself. You repeated words to be comforting, like someone was actually dying right in front of you.
Wow. i mean... EPIC. No other way to describe it.

[Mary]

thank you