I settled in my kids
the boys in their pasture
little girls in theirs
milkers with hay feeders full in theirs
off I went to teach
some little people "kids"
how to swim
natural fish they were
and loved
their wonderful Grandma giving all she is
to fill and make their lives full
it isn't hard for her to give
but comes with tiredness
and grey hairs
and smiles
It was after that I saw him
I looked down the stairs on my way out
He sat with blood dripping
down his legs
his face
He held cloths on his face
pressed tightly
still blood dripping
the lifeguards
were the first aid people
they donned blue gloves
opened first aid kits
knelt before him
he began sobbing
I can help I said
they said no
they had it covered
they only saw his wounds
I saw something more
I came close to him
the guards held up their hands and said no
again
but he said
let her
he had been sobbing that no one cared
that he had no one that loved him
that yesterday he tried to put a noose around his neck
still they saw only his wounds
his face swollen
God showed me his broken heart
I heard the calling out in his voice
I said there is one who cares
He made you and loves you
you are young and strong
He has a plan for you
to do good
He loves you
Can I pray for you
I asked
I am religious
he said
please pray
he said
his sobbing stopped
his breathing settled
his faith returned
they said they would care for him
he was hungry
they said after they patched him up
they would feed him
my name is Elijah he said
a strong name
my prayer and tears lifted for him
I wondered if there was ever someone who cared for him
like my grandson has
he rests between his parents' hearts
when teething hurts
he knows who cares for him
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Elijah
a strong name
I wonder if he has siblings
to laugh and play with
like my Shoshi's have
and a grandma who thinks the world of the five
Father God
hold this broken Elijah
in your kind hands
and make him strong in You
that he would know
what it is
to be so loved
my favourite things
