The Sick Child

THE SICK CHILD

Woman weep
Weep for your child,
your child who is sick,
your child who is dying,
you child who will die
Weep
But she will not die yet
This sickness is not the end
She will recover from this
But weep woman
Weep
Comfort her too
She needs your comfort
She will not die yet
She was dying
the day she left your womb
She is dying now
Weep woman
Weep
Your child knows
that she will die
She is aware
of her real sickness
of which illness is but physical representation
She will die in other ways first
It is for this you must weep
Woman
Weep woman
The pain you felt in labour
is not to be compared with suffering,
that of she who is dying
but who will not die yet
Weep woman
The tears are for yourself,
you who bore this life
who is dying
Weep woman
Weep
The bed is warm
Your hand is warm
pressing upon hers
The fever is past now
There will be recovery soon
but not for the dying

© GERALD ENGLAND

Composed: London, 14th December 1972

Publication

1973 Overspill (UK)