Weeping For the Children

Thus says the LORD: A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more. Thus says the LORD: Keep your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears; for there is a reward for your work, says the LORD: they shall come back from the land of the enemy; there is hope for your future, says the LORD: your children shall come back to their own country. Jeremiah 31:15-17

Weeping

Frightened rulers in distant governments
gathering up children whom they fear
vulnerable and innocent they play
knowing nothing of politics or power.

They dance in the cold and the wind
making up songs and taunting the weather
snow angels and frozen fortresses
all delight these little ones.

It is those with power and money
those who need nothing more
these are the ones that are frightened by joy
and have to squash the insurrection.

They play in the mud and sand
building castles only to destroy them
plastic armies that they put away
dreaming of far away fairy kingdoms.

But we would take their dreaming
turn it into commerce and sales
make the innocent pay for their fun
and charge the little ones for learning.

A selfish frightened king long ago
slaughtered the innocent children
selfish fearful rulers of economies
will enslave all the little ones today.

Oh righteous child of Bethlehem
born in a stable poor and gentle
teach us again to love the daylight
and to revel in the dreams of love.