Poetry by Charlie Gould

BENEDICTION

I see her there, asleep again,
Resting as the battle rages on.
She is at peace for now,
The weeks etched upon her face
Have relaxed a bit,
And she breathes easily.

Gently reaching down to stroke her cheek,
I invoke the names of every God I ever heard
And hope - no, pray! - that one is real.

--Charlie Gould*

*"Works and plays well with others, and does not eat his young."