Parenthood

PARENTHOOD

A little creature lies there
In the darkness of the night.
A tiny hand has freed itself
From the swaddling oh so tight.
The little chest is rising as he sucks in every breath.
I will guard this child forever.
I will make his life so perfect
Safe from hurt or harm till death.

See how much he loves his mother,
How her father’s arms do fold her,
The trust there is in parents
As each child grows ever older.
Oh how can we protect them from the dangers that are rife?
Whilst the years pass by so quickly
Can we keep them ever happy
And ensure their perfect life?

There is a child – despairing
Damaged, sick at heart,
Fearful of those around her,
Sad they will not take her part.
Can we punish her abuser, who once did hold her hand?
How did we not protect her?
We may blame ourselves forever
But we’ll never understand.

Yet there’s a child, protected.
And his side is not forsaken.
His path is strewn with roses.
Carefully watched, each step that’s taken.
His battles are fought for him, his strengths as yet unfurled.
Unfit to meet a challenge,
For some freedom he is yearning
As he goes into the world.

No one can make it perfect
And bid harm to stay away.
But let us trust those childhood strengths
Our fears to soon allay.
And with dread and doubts abounding, we can only make a start,
And hold them with an open hand
And love them with an open mind
Farewell them with an open heart.

~ by Anne on January 16, 2011.