Mandrake

The lost one roaming the streets
Lying on the road in the middle of the night
Waiting to die
The four taken from their mother
With poor prognosis
The others born
When more wished for peril
The stray taken in
Too broken to be fixed
And then there are the few I looked for
All placed with purpose
Placed into our lives
All expected to die
But they survived
And I felt so whole
For a moment
As they thrived
Almost hand fed by yours truly
I now search for answers
A reason why
Why you were brought to me only to die
So rapidly
Sorrow burns my heart
Closes my throat
Hugs my very lungs
Making us question our resolve
Could have I done more to protect
You were so happy
Even as you took your last breath
That I was there to hold you
And if that was my true role
My only purpose
I wonder what god has forsaken me
Cursed me to be the Ferrier of souls
But all I keep holding to
Is how she was so strong
So brave
So small
So powerful
And I failed her
I failed me
Stuck in time, wondering
Why is it
We can’t save them all
Our purpose isn’t for such things
I suppose
Our purpose
Is to be there
For the rise
Or the fall

Whatever they have in mind.