Hungry for recognition

he looked at them 

as they taunted him.

Little boy, Little boy,

came the repeated chants

hitting his tender ears

as he stood 

bewildered and alone.

Reality had left stinging blows

on his crumbling world.

Why did his dad, his hero

have to leave him

to fight a far away war?

Mercy, the capacity to enter another’s pain

flew in 

as he reached out 

in tentative friendship 

to the persecuted person in their midst. 

His mustard seed of faith

grew with imaginative leaps

to move mountains

of distrust and disdain.

As he climbed the ladder of hope

facing mounting fear, 

hearts were changed

and courage coasted in.

His endless efforts

at compassionate love

to bring his dad home

bore no fruit,

until God stepped in

and the impossible

became possible.

Soon the little boy echo

resounded with a hero’s welcome,

for merciful love

had embraced them all.                                                             

+++++++++++++++

Today's poem is a response by Viola Athaide after viewing the film "Little Boy."