Warrior Blessing
By Patricia Wellingham-Jones

Two old warriors
long divorced
bow gray-streaked heads
over their wounded firstborn.
Ask the Ancient One
to gird their son with strength,
hold him steady
as he steers
into his new course.
They gaze at each other’s
life-scarred face,
smile about pain
inflicted, time-eased.
Muttering thanks
for what they’ve learned
they pass it in silence
with hands and eyes
to the young warrior
going into his greatest battle.

Patricia is one of our most recent KotaPress Anthology Contest winners!!! This is just one of the pieces she'll have in our Anthology Volume 3 ebook when it is released in December 2002. You'll want to check back then to download your free copy of that Anthology ebook!