Tears Came Easily

March 9, 1981

In that time
still to come–
and it will come,
it will come—

Do not let our children
forget
that it was not easy.

Let them know
that sometimes
we became
much too tired
from
too much work.

Let them know
that we struggled
to work with
one another
honestly,
that we struggled
against their way
of wheeling and dealing,
manipulation and dishonesty,
still present in our midst.

Let them know
that the pressures
sometimes seemed
too much
to bear,
but we pressed on—

Or we tried,
or went to others
for support
to be able to try,
to be able to press on.

Let them know
that tears
sometimes came easily. . .