Remember the One

Massacre of the Innocents (1611) by Guido Reni

Forget the many

If they seem like none,

But in the plenty

Remember the one.

One pair of lips

Never to be kissed,

Longing for nips

Forever missed.

One pair of eyes

Searching for light

Behind grimaced cries

See darkest night.

One pair of ears,

Through screams listen

With hopes to hear

A name never given.

One little chest

Looking to be warmed

On mother’s breast

Is by steel deformed.

One little child

Asking only for love,

One body now piled

And disposed of.

Dedication: To the infant martyrs.