Listening

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You wept in your mother's arms 
and I knew that from then on 
I was to forget myself.

Listening to your sobs,
I was resolved against my will 
to do well by us
and so I said, without thinking, 
in great panic, To do wrong 
in one's own judgment,
though others thrive by it,
is the right road to blessedness. 
Not to submit to error
is in itself wrong
and pride.

Standing beside you,
I took an oath
to make your life simpler 
by complicating mine
and what I always thought 
would happen did:
I was lifted up in joy.

© David Ignatow