The bravest battle that ever was fought!
Shall I tell you where and when?
On the maps of the world you will find it not;
'Twas fought by the mothers of men.
Nay not with the cannon of battle-shot,
With a sword or noble pen;
Nay, not with eloquent words or thought
From mouth of wonderful men!
But deep in a walled-up woman's heart --
Of a woman that would not yield,
But bravely, silently bore her part --
Lo, there is the battlefield!
No marshaling troops, no bivouac song,
No banner to gleam and wave;
But oh! those battles, they last so long --
From babyhood to the grave.
Yet, faithful still as a bridge of stars,
She fights in her walled-up town --
Fights on and on in her endless wars,
Then silent, unseen, goes down.
Oh, ye with banners and battle-shot,
And soldiers to shout and praise!
I tell you the kingliest victories fought
Were fought in those silent ways.
-- Joaquin Miller (1839-1913)
She fought upon her knees for me,
Then carefully chose each word she'd say.
My mother, girded, stood to fight--
My war against my flesh today.
When conquered, seeking to do wrong,
her wandering child she found--
She drew her sword and in my place--
She stood upon my battle ground.
As she fought she also taught,
And slowly, I too learned to stand--
And face the enemy of my soul,
My Sword held in my hand.
Glory to God for mothers who--
Sound forth their faithful battle cry,
Rallied 'round the cross of Christ--
Pray'n "save my child or let me die."
--Bethmarie 2012
Thank you God for Mothers!
