Casualities of Family War

This woman given long of nothing,
but a chance to give of herself,
but still they beat and asked for more.
As always she accepted with a face
that never broke.

In the struggle to find the hidden way to love,
herself, she lost!
But she found a way through kind and good
to give to every other
and only asked to see the start of a smile.

And I who blossomed strong and late have worked
and spoke and prayed so long to make her proud.
now in the memories of her far
but still not absent ways,
I chose to simply ease her thoughts in anytime
of anxious pain
in the moving moments of a gift of rhyme.

And I shall offer her my always love,
although I know and hate and fear,

that my forever words are not enough.

And with new words I offer love so late

but still so dear.

Mama, you on this day shall always keep,

this giving praising moment of each thought

and gift,

though to all other moments when they forgot

when you were only always there.

On this day although a great tragedy,

you are being bestowed the greatest honor

one can obtain.

that is of love, family and friends.

You fought long and hard all of your adult life,

we understand that this is God's way of making

the rest of your days that of peace, joy and

harmony that you never demanded

but rightfully deserved.

She paid the price of victory with her life.

Maybe it was for all those who remain silent and

suffered unheard.

I pray we will better understand our tragic loss

and forgive those who turned away,

rest assured Mama,

we will continue to fight

and you will not be among

the silent but victorious!

-susan murphy-milano

(Pictured Roberta and Philip Murphy)

Murder-Suicide- 1989