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My man child has come home,
but he is not yet safe and sound.
I hold him, kiss him, touch him, stroke his hair,
gaze at him, pray for him,
and hold him in my heart and thoughts.

People come to me with prayers;
they surround him with holy light.
I'm praying for sanity to visit
our unelected White House resident.

My hope is flagging.
I light candles.
His father combs the Internet
For Kevlar and flack jackets
and steel-soled boots.

I name him Nathan
for the one to wants to stop living in tents
and build houses.
I name him Andreas
for one who is strong and manly.
I name him T'ai
for peace and flowing with nature

He will return home as the salmon do.
He will return whole.
He will return looking forward.
He will return as beautiful
as the first moment I saw him.

I will hold him in my heart
I hold him in my open hands.
He will remain as alert and stalwart
and true to his comrades and to himself.

He will come home again.
He will come home safe and sound.

---Pam E Hepper, 12-24-03