The Maiden

After the Election
November 3, 2004

A glooming peace this morning with it brings; The sun, for sorrow, will not show his head:
(Romeo and Juliet Act V, scene III)


My daughters cry this morning
In despair
For their faith, their work
Was not enough for their
Hearts are splintered from the inside
My daughters cry this morning
In frustration
Because they had the courage to care
To fight the ease of apathy
Deny the pull of self and focus out
They cared and worked and gave
Then sat and watched the takers
Win

My daughters cry this morning
In fear
For their unborn children, for forests
Slaughtered, air defiled, for
Rights denied and Arts forgotten
For the real horror of war
My daughters cry this morning

This afternoon, they wipe their tears
And reach across the miles
For each others hands
It is silent, this smooth strength
It circles round and round
Shining, flowing molten steel

This evening my daughter’s eyes
Begin to narrow
Chins come up
Bootlaces are being tugged

Tomorrow my daughters will wake up
Unhappy
Determined
Brilliant and beautiful
Sadder and wiser, guardians of the next age
Who will not turn away
Tomorrow my daughters will wake up
Fighting

© Edwina Peterson Cross