It’s not every day that I am commissioned to write a poem. Well, actually, it’s never happened. The secretary at our school has a grand nephew, her godchild, going off to the Navy this month. She asked me to write a poem for him.
I really wasn’t sure how to get started. I don’t know this boy, but I do know his family cares deeply for him. I was inspired by Jane Hirshfield’s poem For What Binds Us.
And see how the flesh grows back
Jane Hirshfield, from For What Binds Us
across a wound, with a great vehemence,
more strong
than the simple, untested surface before.
Reflections on the Teche 
If only we could send each person out into the world so encircled…so loved…we wouldn’t have half the messes we are faced with cleaning up. Prayers for this young person. What a lovely gift, a commissioned poem for this occasion. I imagine this young person and the great-aunt carrying these words always.
I love this prayer poem. The last stanza gives me goosebumps! Absolutely perfect.
Wow, the last line brought tears! Great job. Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
*tears*
What a gift this family gave. What a gift you gave this family.
Oh wow – the opening image, the scar of our love as a badge of courage – and then the short lines at the end… I literally got chills. Thank you for adding this to what he takes with him.
Margaret, the sacred and profane in here game me goosebumps. And isn’t it a big responsibility to write a poem for someone else, in such heavy circumstances. You did a beautiful job. I got goosebumps reading it, because it so matches our wishes for Maddie–though totally different circumstances.
Your poem is beautiful and what an honor that you were asked to write something so important! It’s a lovely gift. And the quote is so powerful.
“When you pray,
open yourself
to your whole self”–
this is sage and loving advice indeed. Thank you for sharing this private gift of launching, Margaret.
Oh how gorgeous. And what an honor. The stanza with Linus’ blanket is poignant.
Margaret, I was touched by the lovely going away poem that you wrote. Without knowing the young man, your poem is a beautiful presentation of faith, love, and caring-pray, open yourself, whisper words that mean something all gave me pause to think that faith helps us understand our situations and move on.
May your new grandchild’s birth be filled with love and peace.
“Words that swell your heart,” so good, it gives me goosebumps. I love where you turned this poem with “Linus’s blanket” it makes it a poem for every person–beautiful Margaret, thanks!