Peek Inside: Poetry
Samuel's Light, by Mary Burgess
Beautiful, first son of dear friends
who wanted you so desperately: they
welcomed you into their lives even before conception.
Your mama nurtured her body while pregnant
ate well, knit & thought about you,
rubbed her baby belly so tenderly,
watched you move inside her.
Your papa could barely wait to hold you.
Your mama’s labor with you was
extraordinary, brilliantly strong, peaceful.
As the labor sensations overtook her body,
your mama and papa worked together –
She allowed herself to be lost –
He caught her – so gently and thoroughly
did your papa stay with her
during each and every painful wave
of back labor. They worked so well
Together.
Rhythmic tapping, eye contact, breath.
I was there, pressing on your mama’s back,
easing the un-easable sensations.
my fingertips felt your mama’s muscles
working – really working to birth you.
The sun – the incredible sun –
which had been so elusive – hidden for days, or was it weeks?
Came absolutely pouring into your
birth room – shining so brilliantly –
fire, honey, warmth, ecstatic golden glow
bathing your parents in
tranquil light. Filling the room with a
perfection beyond words.
It is clear, now, that this light was You.
Your essence. Your spirit. Your light.
You, oh perfect little baby who never
took one breath.
You were amazing.
You were exquisite.
You were loved wholly.
You were grieved deeply.
You will be forever missed. February 1, 2006
Excerpts from Mending Invisible Wings, p. 13. ©2009
who wanted you so desperately: they
welcomed you into their lives even before conception.
Your mama nurtured her body while pregnant
ate well, knit & thought about you,
rubbed her baby belly so tenderly,
watched you move inside her.
Your papa could barely wait to hold you.
Your mama’s labor with you was
extraordinary, brilliantly strong, peaceful.
As the labor sensations overtook her body,
your mama and papa worked together –
She allowed herself to be lost –
He caught her – so gently and thoroughly
did your papa stay with her
during each and every painful wave
of back labor. They worked so well
Together.
Rhythmic tapping, eye contact, breath.
I was there, pressing on your mama’s back,
easing the un-easable sensations.
my fingertips felt your mama’s muscles
working – really working to birth you.
The sun – the incredible sun –
which had been so elusive – hidden for days, or was it weeks?
Came absolutely pouring into your
birth room – shining so brilliantly –
fire, honey, warmth, ecstatic golden glow
bathing your parents in
tranquil light. Filling the room with a
perfection beyond words.
It is clear, now, that this light was You.
Your essence. Your spirit. Your light.
You, oh perfect little baby who never
took one breath.
You were amazing.
You were exquisite.
You were loved wholly.
You were grieved deeply.
You will be forever missed. February 1, 2006
Excerpts from Mending Invisible Wings, p. 13. ©2009