The death of children

It is the death of children most offends 

nature and justice. No use asking why. 

What justice is, nobody comprehends. 

 

What punishment can ever make amends? 

There’s no pretext, excuse or alibi. 

It is the death of children most offends. 

 

Whoever offers arguments pretends 

to read fate’s lines. Although we must swear by 

what justice is, nobody comprehends 

 

how destiny or chance weaves. Who defend 

their motives with fair reasons tells a lie. 

It is the death of children most offends. 

 

Death can’t deserve to reap such dividends 

from these, who scarcely lived, their parents cry. 

What justice is, nobody comprehends. 

 

Bring comfort then, and courage. Strangers, friends, 

are we not all parents when children die? 

What justice is, nobody comprehends. 

It is the death of children most offends. 

from The Blue Butterfly (Salt, 2006 / Shearsman, 2011), © Richard Berengarten 2006, used by permission of the author.

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