I open wide
A special door
To a special room
In my heart
For children
I do not know
But whom I love
Children abused
Abandoned
Ones made to
Disappear
Children caught
In war
Innocents maimed
Innocents dying
Bless their souls
Oh bless them
They are like a field
Of flowers
Scattered in the wind
Some survive
To grow again
Others never return
Leaving their presence
Their beauty
To remain in my
Mind
Live in my heart
Never
To forget them
—2011
Lord
I too ask
Make me an Instrument of Your
Peace
I too would sow love
Where there is hatred
Anger
Where intolerance
Lurks
Where doubt keeps some
Awake
In night’s darkest
Hours
I would sow Faith
Where despair brings some
To their knees
I would sow Hope
Oh Lord
I will do my best
For those who are inconsolable
To lead them to You
To be consoled
To ask my spirit for understanding
So that I understand in depth
Their need for understanding
Above all
To love unconditionally
Al Your children everywhere
No exceptions
And not ask to be loved
Myself Amen
Little Child
Held tight in your father’s arms
I want to cry
For you
You do not cry
So I will not
Either
Tho your face expresses how
Frightened you are
Your eyes of deep brown
Look sad to my eyes
That see you in a line
Of refugees
Hurrying to where
I don’t know
Germany perhaps England
Maybe France
You flee your homeland
Syria
And little child
Little boy
As you are held
In your father’s arms
So I hold you
In my heart
Hold you with a vision
Of a new life for you
A life free from fear
A place for you to
Play
As children are meant to play
Grow
As children are meant to grow
A place that in my
Vision
Is every place on earth
Where all children
Of God of All That Is
No matter who they are
No matter where they come
From
Live in Blessed Peace
*photo credit, UNICEF