What future I will give you children
I know not. Too many the prophecies
of books and orators to tell
of easy immortalities,
too many the harsh epics
of war that tore the trembling earth
to say this small mortality
I give to you in giving birth
will be easy, will be luck.
For the world’s a wheel of sorrow
over a field where each may plough
his love for children of tomorrow
but should your crop be fear and war
know the seed I sowed was love
the courage of the book, the pen,
not guns and death strewn from above.
Though the earth put forth armed men
and neighbouring races turn to strike,
I would you wore my love for shield
and gave it on to yours, from like to like.
Source: “Family, My Home” by Amy McGrath
