For Nuria

For Nuria

“Some recognize the light but can't handle the glare.”
Lower their heads, grit their teeth, the stare,
Trying to stare down the radiance.
Light is a dangerous thing in this world.


What do you say to your child
With this light, the capacity to create
Terror in others?
“Some recognize the light but can't handle the glare.”

When you shine your light,
You risk being burned to death,
(At Salem some of mine were burned at stake)
or badly battered, stoned, defiled, cursed or crucified.

What do you say to your child of light?
Hide? Crawl under the comforters, drown your
Fears in whiskey weeping into the night?
Shuffle head down with gauze over the glare?

I say, “Carry on, child. Head up, eyes forward,
Carry on, shining your light boldly
As you walk into the world,
And go where others haven't.


By March Bracken