Swept with this Blessing
April 2022
An elder from Oaxaca named Conchita
sees my son on a tiny screen.
She’s on a nursing home patio in Mexico,
Dave’s in faraway Africa.
They’ve met in person
each time he’s visited,
when Conchita lived here in this village.
Conchita sees him on the phone today —
Her face transforms before my eyes
from the fighter, the resister,
the one who refuses to trust.
Conchita sees him on the tiny screen
and goes mild as a lamb.
I watch her soften, I watch her turn
into gentle shyness with my boy.
They say so little, but it seems
they see one another’s souls.
Something between them
lifts Conchita
into the unguarded being
hiding in her heart.
A window in back of my son
shows the dark of night in Johannesburg.
The patio where I sit with Conchita
shows midday Mexican sun.
I am swept with this blessing connection;
the tenderness I witness between,
worth my whole life to see.
©Susa Silvermarie 2025
I have always loved your posts and poems about Conchita of the beautiful round face. This one especially enhanced by the portrait with David. Please wish him happy and fruitful travels in South Africa from me, someone who used to be one of his caretakers at the Children’s Co-Op 🙂
Sweetheart, you have always warmed my heart with you wonderful words…thank you..Danni
Oh Susa, this is so beautiful!! Would that we all had such a lovely way to soften the hardness in our hearts, soften the warrior stance. Love to you and yours! Michele
well thats certainly beautiful. I am glad i was able to connect with her, thank you for the brightness!