To Andrea

Oh, how I long to see you smile!

To see in your beautiful face the glow,

the light, to all show,

the true spirit of love.

Love that comes from within and above,

to you never defile.

I listen to your story:

Why does God allow,

those I love to hurt me so?

Why is my love returned with hate?

Why do I deserve so terrible a fate?

Little consolation, I follow,

your pain is God’s glory,

and for you to grow.

Oh, how I long to see you smile!

Your life has been unreturned affection,

loving, yet not loved all the while.

I see you cry with desolation,

my heart breaks with remorse,

am I guilty too of such a course?

From the moment we exit the womb,

to when we enter the tomb,

the journey we call life

is full of pain, full of strife.

T’is the price we have to pay?

Even if we have no say?

To love means to suffer?

Must this be the offer?

Oh, how I long to see you smile!

The love for your children is inspring,

as a mother you are never tiring.

To them you show much dedication,

for all, such an inspiration!

Is there another child that needs your devotion?

One of which you have little notion?

We are God’s children, all wounded

by those He sent for us to care,

by their actions hounded.

Why I ask? To me a scare,

I have no answer. It’s all a riddle,

of which I‘m caught in the middle.

Oh, how I long to see you smile!

The day will come for this child

to overflow with self-love gone wild.

The machete to swing,

the bulls to slay,

your courage will bring

grace so your soul can play.

© Pedro Marenco

May 26, 1996

Sacramento, CA