Where Silver Tears Do Rust
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The Letter...2001
The letter came from far away.
No time to read it. Not today.
Smoke a smoke. Sip a drink.
Today is mine to lay and think.
Remembering a fragile heart,
Shattered in my youth.
The secrets held behind closed doors,
Imprisoned by the truth.
Held captive by decisions made
So very long ago.
'Though nothing paid;
The price is high.
Time to reap what has been sown.
Articulate my words shall be,
When I make my list,
Lay down my plea.
Forget about the fragile heart
That was shattered in my youth.
The secrets held were mine alone,
'Till untangled by the truth.
How dare they spite my very name.
How faint of heart is she,
Who gave me life, licked my wounds,
Who prayed each night for me.
I'll cast her out! She'll not be mine!
I've paid my dues! I've done my time!
There lays the letter from far away.
No time to read it.
Not today.
Smoke a smoke. Sip a drink.
Today is mine to lay and think.
I'll travel down the road I choose!
I've met with much misfortune!
Nothing left to lose!
Forget about the fragile heart
That was shattered in my youth.
The secrets held behind closed doors
'Till untangled by the truth.
Days and weeks have passed and yet,
The letter still remains unread.
Time to read it, lest I forget.
The letter read...
My son who has a fragile heart
That was shattered in your youth;
I never meant to harm you.
I should have sheltered you from the truth.
It pained me to see the sparkle
In your eye, then turn to tears.
I fought too hard to keep you close
Throughout our many years.
I make no excuses for the choices I've made.
I'm sorry for that I held your hand so tight;
For the price that you have paid.
I've not forgotten your fragile heart,
Or the sparkle in your eye.
I hold in my heart, the tears you shed
When last we bade good-bye.
I hope that you read this letter
That I've sent from far away.
We may not have tomorrow
To laugh, to sing, to play.
Life slips away before us;
Leaving much undone, unsaid.
We mourn then, for our yesterdays;
For our loved ones, cold and dead.
We're held captive by decisions made
So very long ago;
Never finding peace with those we love,
Within our very souls.
How very faint of heart am I,
Who gave you life and wiped your tears.
I, who pray each night for you;
And will for all my years.
I love you my son,
Mom
That letter came from far away.
I think I'll read it
Again today.
No time to smoke or sip a drink.
For today is mine
To read and think...
L.A.McNabb
17 April, 2001
Copyright © 2004 Lori Ann McNabb, All Rights Reserved
Written for my eldest son, who embarked upon a journey that led him far away from his family for two long years. While most of the letters that I wrote for him went unread, this letter came home with him.
No time to read it. Not today.
Smoke a smoke. Sip a drink.
Today is mine to lay and think.
Remembering a fragile heart,
Shattered in my youth.
The secrets held behind closed doors,
Imprisoned by the truth.
Held captive by decisions made
So very long ago.
'Though nothing paid;
The price is high.
Time to reap what has been sown.
Articulate my words shall be,
When I make my list,
Lay down my plea.
Forget about the fragile heart
That was shattered in my youth.
The secrets held were mine alone,
'Till untangled by the truth.
How dare they spite my very name.
How faint of heart is she,
Who gave me life, licked my wounds,
Who prayed each night for me.
I'll cast her out! She'll not be mine!
I've paid my dues! I've done my time!
There lays the letter from far away.
No time to read it.
Not today.
Smoke a smoke. Sip a drink.
Today is mine to lay and think.
I'll travel down the road I choose!
I've met with much misfortune!
Nothing left to lose!
Forget about the fragile heart
That was shattered in my youth.
The secrets held behind closed doors
'Till untangled by the truth.
Days and weeks have passed and yet,
The letter still remains unread.
Time to read it, lest I forget.
The letter read...
My son who has a fragile heart
That was shattered in your youth;
I never meant to harm you.
I should have sheltered you from the truth.
It pained me to see the sparkle
In your eye, then turn to tears.
I fought too hard to keep you close
Throughout our many years.
I make no excuses for the choices I've made.
I'm sorry for that I held your hand so tight;
For the price that you have paid.
I've not forgotten your fragile heart,
Or the sparkle in your eye.
I hold in my heart, the tears you shed
When last we bade good-bye.
I hope that you read this letter
That I've sent from far away.
We may not have tomorrow
To laugh, to sing, to play.
Life slips away before us;
Leaving much undone, unsaid.
We mourn then, for our yesterdays;
For our loved ones, cold and dead.
We're held captive by decisions made
So very long ago;
Never finding peace with those we love,
Within our very souls.
How very faint of heart am I,
Who gave you life and wiped your tears.
I, who pray each night for you;
And will for all my years.
I love you my son,
Mom
That letter came from far away.
I think I'll read it
Again today.
No time to smoke or sip a drink.
For today is mine
To read and think...
L.A.McNabb
17 April, 2001
Copyright © 2004 Lori Ann McNabb, All Rights Reserved
Written for my eldest son, who embarked upon a journey that led him far away from his family for two long years. While most of the letters that I wrote for him went unread, this letter came home with him.
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The Letter...2001
The Letter...2001