The Healer

She has the care of wounded warriors; though their flesh or minds be broken, she has their care. Fresh from the horror they awake into her brighter world, their eyes and thoughts still blackened by the grip of death. She nurses, yet even so, it is the strength of her words to the half-fallen; the fully defeated that heal. Words that revive a small flame of hope. To the armless she says: “Again You will hold your child.” To the limb and body maimed, she declares: “You shall walk proud once more.” Even in their shock and pit of despair they hear her they hear the truth and steel of her words, and the voice of an unconquerable courage replies within them also. She speaks thus each day, they hold to her, follow her. Gradually they arise within themselves leave fears dire bed far behind them, their spirits whole once more.