Differences

“I wish you peace
When the cold winds blow
Warmed by the fire’s glow
Wish you comfort in the lonely times
Arms to hold you when you ache inside”

That song plays from a worn wooden radio as birds chirp softly in trees.
Cool breeze touches everything, nature sways calmly.
Husbandandwife sit on a rickety porch – in a not so distant space—
Talking about their children, their horrendous bills, the happy times they’ve shared, and what they will have for dinner. (chickenandgravy?)

“Wish you hope when things are going bad
Kind words when times are sad
Wish you shelter from the rain and wind
Coolin’ waters let the fevers end”

That song plays from a broken down record player salvaged from the heaping garbage mounds in a far off land.
A present! for the distraught mother of five who(got new socks at 10 but nothing more. Ever.) She could barely scrap necessities for her half dying children.
She listens, sings along, watches her miracle baby boy play with his tiny toes-
smiling and cooing(unaware of the heartache and dismay.)

“I wish you peace, when times are hard
A light to guide you through the dark
And when storms are high and your dreams are low,
Wish you the strength to let love grow.”

Husbandandwife go inside their home.
He sits down to the Tube. (football) She goes to the kitchen. (wash dishes)
Existing in a symbiotic relationship - not much out of the ordinary-
filled with lovehatesadnessjoy. She feeling more on the inbetween.
They watched their children grow big, move away, marry (grandchildren)
and now settle in for yet another quiet evening. (lackluster existence)

Motherandson lay down to sleep.
Silence and Mother prays for her children,
(may they grow up to know a better life. Please.)
She lies there in the shivering night- her baby breathes gently; his soft, warm skin nestled against her own. (thanks God for all his blessings)


"Wish You Peace" by the Eagles