My Sweet Baby's Breath

While decluttering and cleaning my room, I found this poem.  It was written about both of my boys in 1998.  Tim was around three and Thomas was almost a year old.  I have to admit it turned out pretty good and I don't mean that in an arrogant sense. 


Sometimes when I find things I've written from a long time ago,  I think.." Wow, did I actually write that?" I do remember writing it, but sometimes it doesn't feel like I did.  That's the cool thing about God-inspired writing -- i usually can't just sit down and write whenever i want to.  That is why i can say it's good - because He gave me the words...thank you Jesus.

My sweet baby's breath

so soft, so still and quiet on my neck.

His cradled form, nestled warmly,

so perfectly in my arms.

How pure, how sublime

this package of infant mortality

entrusted to my care for a time.

How vulnerable, how chaste

this slumbering bundle of peace

this awesome wonder before me.

I sit back in quiet reflection

from the beginning of his journey of

growth inside of me.

to the moment of his fearless entrance

to the waiting, watching world.

His reliance on me to sustain him

with my life-giving substance

to his emerging independence

those first exploring steps, 

facing the imminent conflict

between his need to be free

and my need to protect and nurture.

Finding the wisdom to known when to let go

as he gets up again and again

only to begin the process once more.

The falling, the tears, the comfort, the fears,

the loving arms that tenderly embrace him.

the slumber, the rest, and finally

his sweet breath, so soft, so still on my neck.

by Patti Stephen    9-27-98