For Shame - a sonnet

For Shame

Maternal as the morning light that glimmers on the sea
And kisses every separate crest that rushes to the shore
The first born child pats every sibling's head inclusively
Benign smiles drip to each one's cheek before she shuts the door
Her heavy tread upon the path, an echo of her heart
She gathers all her courage to her breast and faces fore
They peer through slats of shutters, see their favourite depart
Then huddle as if icy fingers stroked their inner core
No incident in history has primed them for this fate
Their sister's shame, still unexplained, is mighty; this they know
Nor is there chance of her return, no leeway for debate
For certain sins are coffin lids kept closed by nails of woe
Her tears spill hot, too long kept back to stem a bitter tide
No comfort from such painful loss, this new life held inside
                  * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

I will put it in the love section but it is less about romantic love
 than a misguided familial love really
-- does not seem to be a section that exactly suits this. sorry.