AMACon 3: Oikos - Children

Fists

WRITTEN BY:

kebemamma

"May these words be the first to find your ears

The world is brighter than the sun now that you're here

Though your eyes will need some time to adjust

To the overwhelming light surrounding us"

-Sleeping At Last, LIGHT

There was a boxing match rerun on television in the waiting room.

The men, filling the gaps with commentary, anxious in their chairs.

THIS must be how it feels to be a father—

With fists up ready to strike, or to shield,

or to say a prayer and wield faith like his weapon of choice

his inner voice louder than all the noise

See, your daddy can take a punch or two.

If you ask me, he's taken far too much than his body can take,

but his spirit is the champ no one can break.

He's been fighting so we could keep dreaming a life

with our hearts' desires, to keep us alive, and

although all over he's black and blue,

I want you to see what he went through

'cause that man is the stuff you're made of:

all compassion, no conceit

all goodness, no greed

bare-knuckled, swinging hard

and I want you to take this all to heart.

Buddy, this life will throw you a lot of punches

All you have to do is dance along

Learn the steps, or the beat of the song

And when you get knocked out,

you'll find that faith is something you can hold on to.

God has a cheat code He could whisper to you.

And remember, it's okay to fail

You don't need the rain to hide your tears or thunder to hush your wails.

You can cry in front of the crowd, what matters is you get up from the ground

There will be times,

when doubt would creep into your bed and fear would rear its ugly head,

and this part of you I'll know too well,

you're not really bored, I can tell you're afraid and I understand

but here, you'll never be too old to hold my hand.

So walk tall towards this astounding arena

with your chin chiseled out towards the sky.

I only have this poem and my voice, screaming,

rooting not just for victory, but an awakening that

you have everything you need to get by.

You have us in your corner even when it turns black, you will hear Mama roar.

It's the same voice that I know is inside your head reminding you what all this is for.

Reminding you to—

Stick your neck out for your beliefs but admit when you're wrong, accept defeat.

Always be kind, even when hurt; never should you hit below the belt.

And most of all,

          find somewhere to go,

         something to fight for,

         someone to love.

I want you to step into that ring with a fire inside, burning within;

to look Life in the eye and only see hope,

and baby, we're just on the other side of the rope.

Down the line, when we finally hang up our gloves,

we'll be by the sidelines watching you dance.

Hold your fists up, get ready to strike, or to shield,

or to say a prayer and wield faith as your weapon of choice.

Listen to your inner voice, drown out the noise.