A tender and beautiful poem reflecting on the death and burial of Michael Brown.
A mother buried her son today;
No words can take that pain away.
Choir voices sang so sweet and strong,
Some preached a figurative call to arms.
All the while she rocked slightly to and fro,
To the quiet rhythms of a mother’s woe.
In their fold she didn’t ask to be
With Sybrina, Lucia, Wanda … Mamie.
In the world outside are raging divides,
Politics collide in hateful diatribes.
Helpless and scared to help most others know
Taboo topics discussed can bring healing, make whole.
Promises to Keep I read to my son
History retold and when Joe Louis won,
A moment treasured when I saw his spark
He gets it a little; it’s a good start.
My hope to fulfill the motherly call:
Raise sons who have understanding for all.
A mother buried her son today;
No words can take that pain away.
David W. Swanson 