ERRANT CHILD, LEST YOU FORGET
When your mother's monthly period failed to flow
We knew you had been wonderfully formed in her womb
Two options stared us on the face: to abort or to let you grow
We chose the latter and prayed God to let you bloom
With your Mom, that caring, faithful love of my life
Who kept you warm, safe and ensconced in her womb
I shared dutifully the lingering anxieties and mental strife
Of your conception, gestation, foetal phase and bloom
For nine months we watched, prayed and waited for you
To come to this wide, wicked and difficult world of gloom
We toiled, prepared, suffered and endured to avoid doom
Until safely but perilously, through the birth canal you loomed
We ensured we were always there for you; we held you sweet
When you yelled, sneezed, coughed, yawned or showed pain
We fretted, worried and lost appetite for food, rest and sleep
And offered you milk, shelter and made you breathe without pain
What a small bundle of blessing, joy and hope you were!
All our energies, resources and youth we squeezed just for you
That you, your siblings and others may eat, grow, play and school
The nest is now empty and with us your love you are not ready to share
Nevertheless, we give you all our blessings, goodwill, prayers and love
May you receive from God and your offspring whatever you give to us!
Lest you forget, your father and your mother you must give honour
To elongate your life which is still very, very precious to us
Copyright Ray Oyil (2009)
Arutee4ever
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