Joy

Nine times we marked the calendar.

Each month seemed like forever.

Then the blessed day came;

you announced your arrival with a cry.

I held you in my arms,

 and carried you over to your mother.

I wanted to hold you forever,

and protect you .

You were soft and fragile.

With fingers and toes,

so small and translucent

 that I could almost see through them.

Then they took you away from us,

to clean you up.

I waited at the nursery window,

like a child at Christmas.

Till at last they brought you out,

the gift that God had given us,

and I cried for joy.

Joseph Men

March 9, 1996

© 2001, Joseph Men