Whispers and Wishes (Part 3)
And so, we rested, away from the snow,
inside that hut by the fire’s glow,
but stories cannot be chewed with teeth
though they help assuage our terror and grief.
Where is Momma, I whimper, and wipe my eyes,
She’s looking for us, but my sister cries
though she hides her face, I see a tear
and realize she must also fear—
What do we do? Where do we go?
Back to the cold, leave our tracks in the snow?
It’s dark, Little One, let us sleep,
there’s a blizzard out there, the snow’s too deep,
for us to go or soldiers to come.
We’ll melt some ice and savor the crumbs–
wish and pretend we have a feast!
We’ll hear no shots from west or east.
And so, we wished, and then we dozed,
fire banked, door bolted, the windows closed–
but when we woke, there was more fresh bread,
a pitcher of milk, and another rose of red. . .
a golden feather glimmered on the floor.
I was looking at old posts this afternoon, and I discovered I had shared parts 1 and 2 of this poem with dVerse, so I decided to write a part 3 for Open Link Night. Scared children are on my mind, and I suppose I wish for them a happily ever after.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
This poem is so very good – especially that ending.
Oh, thank you so much! 😊
I like this, it certainly puts the focus on children’s fear. Pedophiles and murderers of children are the scum of the earth. Children dying horribly in TX and Ukraine. I’ve run out of tears.
Thank you, Glenn. Yes, people who hurt children are the scum of the earth–or worse.
This Golden Peacock certainly would be welcome in these times.
Thank you. I agree.
Ken–You posted the wrong link on the Linky.
Thank you, Merrill.
And yes, Grace covered for me.
This reminds me of a Grimm’s fairy tale.
Thank you. Is that a good thing?
Yes, it’s a big compliment!
Thank you! 😊
You’re welcome!
Feel the tension….yes…very… beautiful flow, but MUST be read aloud…
Thank you very much, Ain. It makes me wonder how it would sound read in your voice.
Oh I must read it in a next open mic night, will do.
😊
OMG i read all three parts. Just fantastic
Much💛love
Thank you so very much, Gillena for reading all three parts! 💙
Beautiful, Merril. I read them all and there’s a real Hans Christne Andersen type feeling with an air of gothica. There’s a feeling of hope amid the bleak ❤
Hans Christian Anderson plus gothica!
Thank you very much Sunra!
You’re most welcome! 😊
How lovely and uplifting is the ending. Thanks for sharing this part 3 Merril.
Thank you very much, Grace.
Maybe not happily ever after, but a bit of magic and hope.
I remember the earlier ones…may all children be gifted with that light. (K)
I’m pleased you remember the earlier ones–to your art!
Yes, indeed may the children be so gifted. 💙
A very lovely story of danger and mystery! Well done.
Thank you very much, Dwight!
You are welcome!
what a wonderful story with beautiful metaphors Merril! 💖💖
Thank you so much, Cindy! 💙
A pleasure!
You have certainly captured the situation – with a glint of a happy ending
Thank you very much, Derrick.
I like to have a glint at least.
Such a haunting, fairytale feel to your words, Merril! Heartbreaking news from Texas. I can’t imagine sending my kids to school and having to worry they might be shot.
Thank you, Ingrid.
It just seems to be getting worse here–so much gun violence. This isn’t the first and probably won’t be the last one with schools or children. I remember after one other one–I can’t even remember which–I was afraid for my daughter who was a teacher.
so much tension here Merril and clearly seen through the eyes of the children
“for us to go or soldiers to come.
We’ll melt some ice and savor the crumbs–”
this reminded me of the Jewish partisans hiding for their lives in the forest of Eastern Europe
Thank you very much, Laura.
When I wrote the first part, I was envisioning Jewish refugees or partisans in an Eastern European forest.
I evidently picked up on that as it must still resonate in part3
Excellent! Thank you.
Much to ponder here…I like the children awakening to fresh bread and milk, a sign that all is well for the moment at least. (A feather and rose of hope…)
Thank you so much, Linda. 🪶🌹
Bitter indeed – ending beautifully in sweetness. Encapsulates the paradox of life –
Thank you very much, Susan.
Beautiful, beautiful, Merril! Read all three and loved that hope at the end. 💙
Thank you so much for reading this and the earlier poems! I so appreciate that!
What a perfect part three! And such a beautiful ending of hope.
Thank you so much! 💙
Pleasure is all mine! 🧡