Final Thoughts On Mother's Day Poem by Jim Yerman

FINAL THOUGHTS ON MOTHER'S DAY

We marched on Mother's Day to protest children being held in detention centers
In a country we think has gone awry
We marched for children being treated as prisons
We marched to ask the question…Why?

We marched for children who were not welcomed here
Instead…in glorified cages we hide them away
Where they sit confused and sad and lonely
separated from their mothers…on Mother's Day.

Or any day for that matter…
and it makes my heart go numb
remembering how proud I once was of my country…
and seeing what we've become.

Where once a mighty woman with a torch
shone her light for the world to see
we once welcomed anyone into our country
anyone yearning to be free…

As we made our peaceful march
carrying signs pleading for children to be free
I saw mothers with their families in restaurants,
enjoying the park…even climbing in old Banyon trees.

And I couldn't help thinking about those other children…
the ones our country has hidden away…
In a detention center here in Florida
separated from their mothers…on Mother's Day.

It's true that mighty woman is still standing
but now I'm filled with doubt…
for I believe if you look closely
her torch light has gone out.

But I won't give up on it ever shining again
I won't surrender…I won't quit
with a little acceptance and compassion
her light can be relit.