Listening

You wept in your mother's arms  
and I knew that from then on  
I was to forget myself.

Listening to your sobs,
I was resolved against my will  
to do well by us
and so I said, without thinking,  
in great panic, To do wrong  
in one's own judgment,
though others thrive by it,
is the right road to blessedness.  
Not to submit to error
is in itself wrong
and pride.

Standing beside you,
I took an oath
to make your life simpler  
by complicating mine
and what I always thought  
would happen did:
I was lifted up in joy.



by:    DAVID IGNATOW