Day 297

My child, a year old today,
what can I promise you?
I can tell you the sky
is not always filled with dread,
with smoke, with terrible noises.
I can say there are trees
that bear fruit:  sweet apricots,
fragrant peaches.  I can say
there will be mornings
when you awaken
from unbroken sleep, walk out
barefoot onto grass
or sand or soil, feel
wetness and coolness
between your toes. 
There will be days
when you move from hour to hour
without fear, without tasting my fear
on your tongue.  I can say
there will be music
and running, sunlight
on your back, and the rhythm
of the sea will accompany your days
more constantly than the rhythm
of drones and horror.