Children of the night,

Lost and lingering in the recesses of darkness,

Come close now,

To the fire of unconditional love,

So that I may see your sad and shameful faces.

I sense that I know you,

You who have been unworthy and lonely,

For so long.

Let me cup your tarnished cheeks in my culpable hands,

And look upon the fear in your eyes,

The cuts on your skin,

And the bruises on your

Tiny, precious hearts.

Can you allow me to hold you now, dear ones?

The ones I have sent out to be raw and wild and all alone,

The ones I have said are not welcome here,

The ones I have discarded,

In my own apprehension for deeper understanding.

You, who bare the burden,

Of all the pain,

Come and be near the fire for once,

The fire of unconditional love.

Let it warm your face and

Melt your cold and aching.

Please, please, please,

Allow me now, at this late hour,

To welcome you in.

To finally hold and behold all of you,

Orphans of my heart.

Together,

Let us all sit down by the fire,

And be so warm.

Relephant:

Be Still My Warrior Heart.

Author: Meg McCraken

Apprentice Editor: Brandie Smith/Editor: Renee Jahnke

Photo: Wiki Commons