For the love of the land
she held in her hand,
not for them, but for her
an embrace, true and sure
She walked where no one would,
giving all that she truly could
to a land lost and suffering
and only with her love to bring
Where she trod, flowers grew
How it happened no one knew
Storms subsided, easing their rage
as the woman walked by who had no age
She was endless, of unknown years
calming the storms, wiping the tears
A serene stillness her presence gave,
what was damaged, she would save
Yet, what for her, the woman herself
who left her needs and wants on the shelf?
Time for them, she would say
there’ll always be another day
But time ebbed on, and days rolled by,
as she continued to heal, she started to cry
they have not learned to live in peace
the ravage to this world does not cease
The strength I need to heal day by day
is becoming too great, I’m fading away
What then when I’m gone, and there’s none left here
who can regrow what I grew, year after year?
The silver streak in her hair began to grow
the cost to her, the people would never know
and at the end, when the world did break,
they realized then, the toll their wars did take
Finally, too much for her, she faded away
and the world began dying on that day
The people cried we wish we knew
the gift you gave, that gift was you
We can do better, they tried to tell,
but it was too late, the lady, she fell
With her dying breath, the world did heave
and there was silence as all did grieve
Her death was one last final gift
to heal the earth and close the rift
The people knew what must be done
to honour her, world peace begun
And, to this day, when birds sing out
you can almost here her wish throughout
tend all your gardens as would I,
please do not let this beautiful world die
Live in peace and unity
where all who roam, can live free
nurture all that come your way
live with love every day
If you do these things I ask
the earth will hold this healing mask
I will not come this way again
so stop the fighting, stop the pain
This is your very last chance
to learn the life, and dance the dance
get it right and live with grace
and you will keep this heavenly place
Her song has faded, her life long gone
many have forgotten what went on,
but there are some who carry her yet
to make sure the world will never forget
So if you see the flowers grow
hear birds singing, and rivers flow
remember the price of fighting my friend
let peace reign and all wars end.
© Leslie C Dobson
If you liked this poem, you can find additional ones on the poetry page of my website.