NEWBORN

some thoughts on the birth of our first grandson Leo

Newborn

 

but for these sweet moments

I let the babe sleep

I gaze in rapture

on him lying content

in the crook of my arm

 

newly teased

from womb to world

from dark to light

from warmth to chill

 

flesh of my flesh

my first grandchild

 

these few precious guileless months

of cooing, laughing, gurgling

crying in want, in hunger

before the fall puts word to tongue

words of praise, words of love

words of cunning, words of anger

 

the human stain

the serpents apple

 

but for this moment

the babe sleeps sweetly

newborn, innocent

this pause in time

 

but no blank canvas

his warp and weft

stretch backward and forward

begat upon begat

from past to future

 

from a grandmother, those green eyes

from an Irish bard, that love for words

from a roman peasant, the dimpled cheek

to a grandaughter, that red hair

 

but for this sweet moment

let the babe sleep

innocent as a lamb

for the moment …….

Reviews

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Congratulations on the birth of your new grandson Alan! Your beautiful poem is panoramic, ecstatic, poignant and contemplative. The photo is precious. Your eloquent, dramatic words convey so skillfilly the hesitancy- the holding of breath- the fragility of the moment...the hopes, the fears, the history, the love above all. Yes, “let the babe sleep” and may God bless him always.

[alanwgraham]

Sorry about these belated thanks for reading this. I was just saying to my son that for his son its as if he's spent his life in the dark of the deep ocean and entered another realm. What a shock!
Regards. Alan

[tracey]

ah great , i have four all spoilt rotten thats what we do ,,

[alanwgraham]

Yes. Spoiling them is what you feel like doing.
Cheers,
Alan

[tracey]

hi Alan thankyou for review its much appreciated im new on so havnt done much, this is a great write of yours it was a sweet tale and personal which i love a lovely picture, i will be reading some more,,,, Tracey

[alanwgraham]

That's very kind of you Tracey. We are enjoying our grandson so much.
All the best Alan

[Cherrie Palmer]

...for the moment... this will be the first of a hundred poems for Leo and maybe his own string of bedtime stories

[alanwgraham]

Thanks for reading this poem Cherrie. The birth of a first grandchild is a great moment. It takes you back to your own children and forward to the possibilities of the future.
Regards,
Alan

[Cherrie Palmer]

It does it is the fountain of youth and congratulations

[sette]

how i love poems about babies, their innocence says it all. nice piece of writing

[alanwgraham]

Thanks sette. Newborn babies are lovely and thankfully most grow into decent adults.
Cheers.
Alan

[sette]

so true alan

[barleygirl]

I'm amazed at how you covered so many bases with your deliciously sweet poem! First, my congrats, gramps, on being mesmerized by this tiny wonder! You definitely got that across (I can almost see your eyes misting up a bit). Love your highly original descriptions of all the "baby" stuff we go ga-ga over *smile* But even more intriguing was your stanza explaining how various physical attributes connect all the related people who are going ga-ga as they each see some part of themselves! I also love the way you let this sweet lullaby bump up against some of this world's harshnesses, if only to emphasize your refrain of sleepytime innocence that should remain uninterrupted! Just beautiful! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[alanwgraham]

Belated thanks Margie. It seems like moments since our own kids were babies. Its soon over!
Hope you are well.
Alan

[Lorry]

Beautifully captured memory that will never leave you. Billions before and after will feel this, yet every time is truly unique. So get your head round that if you can :)
Congratulations Grampa.

[alanwgraham]

Sorry for not replying lorry. Thanks for reading. Your comments are spot on.
Cheers.
Alan

[J. J. Nightingale]

CONGRATS !!
It's such a special tender time of life
I have a great-grandson
all my grandchildren (5) are girls.!

Enjoy !!! .........♥

Jazzy

[alanwgraham]

Thanks Jazzy. Yes it is a wonderful new phase of life.
All the best to you and your clan!read moreThanks Jazzy. Yes it is a wonderful new phase of life.
All the best to you and your clan!
Alan

[J. J. Nightingale]

Thank you... and...You are welcome.........:)......

[Samuel Dickens]

Your tender feelings and thoughts for this child are well-described. May the two of you be the best of friends.

[alanwgraham]

Thanks Samuel. I'm losing track with the WC hanging up the closed sign every five minutes! Life cycles on but it seems a big deal when its your own offspring.
All the best to you!
Alan

[redalia]

this made me quite emotional, such a sweet and thoughtful poem. beautifully written.

[alanwgraham]

Thanks for your kind words.. I feel the same. When your writing is personal your writing seems closer to your heart.
Regards, alan