An Embrace

A young boy comes home from school.
He’s been afraid to.
He doesn’t want Mom and Dad to see
What he’s been through.

He has a black eye.
His knee is bruised
And bleeds.
He feels abused.

Others would want him to be
Strong and fight back.
He couldn’t. Not today.
That’s why his eye and spirit
Are so black.

He comes through the front door
And sees his beautiful mom.
His tears start to flow.
His anguish starts to glow.

Mom comes to him and embraces him.
Tight and firm.
Her hands circling his back.
He needn’t squirm.

The boy’s tears dry.
He feels loved like he hasn’t
For a long time.
There are angels watching him
And God in the skies.

Mom would never hurt her son.
Neither would Dad.
This makes the boy feel so glad.

The greatest strength, thinks the boy,
Is in being loved.
Oh, to be loved
By everyone,
Like a parent loves a child.