Green Fragments Poem by Liilia Talts Morrison

Pale green and fragile fragments rise
of former things denied
of childhood berries in the field
and hopes long set aside

The proffered cunning picture book
that never would be mine
the song the grownups laughed to scorn
harsh scoldings oftentimes

The flowing fields of golden wheat
soon stomped by foreign boots
our little cat and timeworn ways
torn from their gentle roots

Who is to blame who is to shame
for things that happened then
who can renew the hopes of youth
that languish in the glen

Yet memories of things denied
so very long ago
now rise as fountains from the rocks
as spring green blessings flow

The pain endured by innocents
is ever writ on hearts
yet time is gracious as it moves
and offers brand new starts.