The Journey

By Lisa South

They began

And rejoiced—

Buried tiny bodies in shallow graves,

Wept, and began again.

They entered the valley

With joy—

Beat crickets off their vanishing crops,

Starved, wept, and began again.

They built their homes

With gladness—

Prepared them for burning against an approaching army,

Wept, and began again.

They endured to the end.

They set the example.

Fighting our own crickets and armies,

We weep, remember, begin again—

And rejoice.

Foreshadowed, by Clay Wagstaff