Benediction

[arith]

Let us raise warriors
Spines straight as aspens
Gazes steady as shields
Against all who stand before them.
Eyes turned to the sky
And minds to the future
Sighting far and clear and true.
Hands that build and hoe and heal
Creation in a slender palm.
My mothers ranged behind me
And my daughters braced before;
Grant them the tools to slay my fears
Grant us the heart to face our foes.