The Oath

He found her crying in an arm chair one Sunday Her arms wrapped like chains around her shaking knees As if to keep her fragile essence from flying away, forever The questions asked, it seems now, a million more times “What’s wrong? What happened? What can I do?” The answer given this first time, with such consequences A story of suffering follows; a torrent of despicable torment Such violence to a gentle soul; such damage to a kind spirit Trust smashed and left unhealed, a heart closed inward forever He is frozen by the words and feelings that pour out Frozen, as his callow mind reels and wanting heart breaks And he stumbles and falls at the feet of this broken one In panic; his shadows reel out from beneath his own scars A scene of violence, of anguish, of faith lost; all yet unresolved Another’s wounds, another’s faith, this he now, swears to heal This vow joins them forever now; bound by the shame of others Mothers and Fathers, who, bearing their own deep wounds Were also once victims, chained and shaking in their arm chairs Redemption, for them both, this becomes his solemn pledge His creed, his faith, their hope; a promise he cannot break An oath unattainable when made, but, is ever undeniable