Keeping a Promise

On a red-ink letter from Kenya
You remembered a teenage promise:
If not to me, you would
Give yourself to God

 

 

 

With trembling hands and heart
I knew it was too late to reply
Or to admit that I had
Forgotten
Until tears mixed with red words
That bled onto my fingers

 

 

 

Pain reminiscent of
Harsh words that burned my tongue
And scorched our spirit
“Give it to someone else”
I said of your precious gift

 

 

 

So you resolved unselfishly
To give yourself to your Country.
Some would argue
That is the same as
Giving yourself to God