By Ishmael von Heidrick-Barnes
MOTHERS OF SOLDIERS
A mother
is polishing a pair of boots with tears
Packing a duffle bag
with the camouflaged clothing of war
A ritual
as old as history
lost in the fog of parades
A mother
not unlike a woman
from any other nation
is preparing the child
she carried in arms
for the army
She didn’t receive
official papers from state
wasn’t offered the dignity of orders
Yet
it is mothers like her
who are called to wash
bloody hands from uniforms
silently bear the sorrow of blind sacrifices
Mothers of soldiers
outflank violent oaths
passed from fathers to sons
restore honor
without decorations
love regardless of rank
proliferate hope
throughout a plundered world
Ishmael von Heidrick-Barnes was born and raised in San Diego, California. He attended Herbert Hoover High School and went on to study Religion and Theology at the University of San Diego. His book Intimate Geography, published by Ragged Sky Press, won the 2012 San Diego Book Award for Poetry. Ish, as he is known, has also written lyrics for German musicians Andrea Hörkens and Thomas Roderburg (Tender Art).
Latest posts by Ishmael von Heidrick-Barnes (see all)
- Word’s Out | Geo-Poetic Spaces - December 14, 2018
- Political Love Affair | Geo-Poetic Spaces - December 7, 2018
- Deer Tracks | Geo-Poetic Spaces - November 30, 2018
