For Dear Life

Don't teach our children
that they can do anything, everything
Stop teaching them about success

Teach them instead
how to take care of themselves
amid this uncertain
change and turmoil

Teach them how to grieve
for the world that should
have been theirs
Before the climate changed
before life became even more
complicated

Teach them to be grateful
for each good thing
And to know how to distill what still
remains true
and to stay faithful

And most of all
teach them about failure
The acceptance of a battle lost
and the ability to keep going
in the face of sure defeat

Teach them how to hold on
to what is dear
And to hold on
for dear life

JANE O’SHEA
from ‘Word Remedies - A Collection’