Enough

Was it enough,
sweet children?
The effort we gave
and the world we made?
Do you feel ready
and able
to take this helm?
Oh God,
tell us,
what did we miss?

Dearest ones,
can you be brave now
and stand witness
as these mortal coils
come unfurled
and you assume control
of the world’s becoming?
Do you believe we bestowed the tools?
Or skills? Are you prepared?
Oh God,
tell us,
what did we miss?

Our hope of hopes,
did we equip you
with the requisite empathy-
that deep and burning well
of love and forgiveness and pain
to shoulder what was for us
much too heavy?
Will you at least believe
that we tried?
That we gave it our best go?
Oh God,
tell us,
what did we miss??

Please, answer us!
Break that gelid gaze, we
cannot bear it-
What is it, why do you
judge us so?
Is it because we brought you here?
We gave you this
and said “here,
TAKE IT, see if you can
do better?”
DAMN YOU,
Do you understand how hard this was?
What were we supposed to do??
Oh God,
tell us,
what did we MISS??

Quickly, children!
the hour is late
and there isn’t much time.
Here you go, carte blanche,
we acquiesce, now go,
NOW!
We trust you, we always did.
And maybe it’s true
Somewhere deep down
we always knew what to do.
But we were so afraid.
Oh children, before we leave, please,
absolve us!
Can you spare that kindness?
Did we teach you that much?
Oh God,
we’re so SORRY,
tell us!
before we go,
WHAT DID WE MI-