Baby

From the pain and joy of birth,

Through the pain and joy of growing up.

Mother faces the many facets of baby!

Kicking the tummy, now the ribs.

The many emotions of labor,

The trill of newborn babe in arms.

Midnight cries for nourishment,

Cooing in cuddling arms.

Rocking the hours of illness away,

Kissing away bumps and scrapes of life,

Serving snacks for multiple gatherings,

Sitting up waiting for tardy adolescence,

Praying for patience to deal with uncouth.

When finally we meet a young adult,

With grace and poise and untapped splendor,

To venture into the world with wonder and awe.

Have we done enough?

Have we done too little?

Are they well prepared,

Or poorly suited?

Time goes too quickly by,

The twinkle of newfound love adorns,

The patter of tiny new feet.

And thus the cycle begins anew,

The pain and joy of rebirth.