For Jilly’s days of unreason challenge.
“Fear makes for good servants
and bravery is fraudulent”
~ Jim Harrison
Only the fearful are truly brave—
the mother, house bound by tradition,
mute and respectful,
on her flimsy threshold,
facing up to faceless soldiers,
the thrush hidden behind leafy branches
mouse-like in her discretion,
a fury when the marten pries.
Not the gun-wielding hero,
decorated for some massacre
perpetrated on the defenceless.
The Eternal Flame does not burn for mothers,
only their glorious sons.