Enjoying banana-date muffin on his first birthday!
I don’t usually write poetry–in fact, I’ve told my students many times that they write far better poems than I can! But for some reason, in this season of quarantine, free verse poems have been bubbling up in my heart like never before. So this week, in honor of my sweet little boy’s first birthday which recently passed, I thought I’d share one with you.
Our Gift
by Kiersti Giron
A few days ago, I picked up a small, discarded nightie from the arm of the worn rocking chair in the living room.
And suddenly, unexpectedly, found my heart deeply moved.
That I, even I, had a baby nightie to pick up and put away…
the nightie of my own little son.
And I looked about our crammed living room with fresh eyes,
Our little guy one year ago.
eyes of gratitude, blurred with thankfulness.
For the changing pad sitting atop the black side table…
For the basket of diapers underneath,
blue-checkered Pooh diaper bag beside…
For the cradle filled with too many toys beneath the window…
For the child, slumbering on our bed, spread-eagled on his tummy with bottom sticking up in the air.
For the startling blondness of his wispy hair, a few months ago so sparse, now growing long over his ears.
For the curve of his eyes and his rosebud mouth,
now falling open in the seriousness of sleep.
For the dimpled warmth of his small hands, so busy when he’s awake, peaceful and open now.
For his precious feet, still so small, yet compared to one year ago…
so big!
For the exuberant, life-full, energetic, determined,
loving, squealing, life-upturning reality
of this little boy who has so wondrously invaded our lives.
Loving his outdoor walks during quarantine.
And I knelt on the sheepskin rug by his play gym a moment,
giving thanks,
for the gift we were given, so freely, with so much love,
no matter to what we might deserve.
The gift of our little son, Aeron.
Kiersti,
Thank you for this poem! So well said, with love & awe at what God has done for you. ❤️
Thank you so much, Gail! Lovely to hear from you. <3
Thanks Kiersti, he is adorable and I can’t believe it has been a year since already. You are both truly blessed.
Thank you, Claudia! It’s amazing how time flies, isn’t it? I’m sure you know that too well with your own sweet grand-babies!
Kiersti,
That was beautiful. Take care and stay well.
Thank you so much, Mary! I hope you and your family are staying safe and well too!
Beautiful tribute to God’s gift— allowing us to experience the miraculous, to participate in creation, and to begin to understand His love for His own Son.
What a beautiful way to put it…thank you, Wendy.
So beautiful! Thank you for sharing, friend!
Thank you so much, Donna! Miss you, friend!
Beautiful!
Thank you so much, dear godsister–that means a lot coming from you, amazing poet that you are! We have two of your poems on our refrigerator. So excited for you in this new season, dear one. Hugs!