‘Those who withhold kindness from a friend forsake the fear of the Almighty …
“Ransom me from the hand of oppressors” Job 6:14,23b
We listen now as parents tell the tale
that their children
were not to be ransomed
while others went home, were saved,
that their questions
went unanswered, their lonely wait —
unaccompanied,
while in other countries
families were tenderly cared for
informed, never left alone,
that their non-combatant children
were considered worthy
of honor,
not negotiation,
of retribution, but not life.
Zechariah and Elizabeth
(not to speak of his cousin Jesus)
were not much comforted
after John’s death in such a manner.
He was the Baptist,
he was in over his head …
like most journalists, aid workers.
There is no family anywhere
comforted
to know that their loss
is some kind of face-saving
in the birthday arenas of power,
the politics of a terrible dancing.
Gifts in Open Hands 
Dear Maren, I love the way you connect Bible imagery with the now – truly a poignant poet and prophetess of our time, thankyou.
Thank you, Rosemary. I think because I know John Foley this whole issue of refusing to even negotiate strikes me so closely. As a father he came out yesterday in the New York Times to say just how poorly they were supported.