My arms were enough when you were afraid,
to save you from the big dog and his bite.
Small hurts could be healed with sweet lemonade.
I walked you to school and saw that you stayed,
when fearful, comforted you through the night.
My arms were enough when you were afraid.
Soon grown, you strode ahead, were unafraid
when you made choices and began your flight.
Hurts were no longer healed with lemonade.
I was so pleased with the love you displayed,
as you brought your babies into the light.
Your arms were enough when they were afraid.
But I can’t protect when you feel betrayed.
It makes no difference if I hold you tight,
these hurts can’t be healed with sweet lemonade
I cannot assuage your pain, so I prayed
for you to find solutions to your plight.
My arms aren’t enough when you are afraid,
your hurts can’t be healed with sweet lemonade.
Lorraine Jeffery has won numerous prizes and published over 200 poems in journals including , Ibbetson St., Clockhouse, Orchard Press, Naugatuck River Review, and Tahoma. Her first book, When the Universe Brings Us Back was published in 2022. Her chapbooks : Tethers, 2023 and Saltwater Soul, 2024 were published by Kelsay Books.
