Unrequested Miracle
Sudden, incarnate love
(too tiny yet to make your tummy bulge)
dawns to wax unseen within your self
as the dream of you
once grew within my womb.
Younger arms than mine,
and shoulders twice as broad,
now offer comfort in my stead,
and taste your salty tears
dream-mingled with his own.
Questing life, unplanned, unsought,
exerts itself and shapes
two futures to its need –
distorts your belly
and your dreams.
But dreams are living things
and living things must grow
and change, and not lie flat
espaliered to a wall
of might-have-beens that never were.
Like birds, they soar aloft
when friendly breezes spiral high,
but use their wings to climb beyond
when faced by winds that blow awry –
or not at all.
My child, now grown too tall
for me to hold, and cradle in my arms
cradles yet another life.
A part of you, and him – and me.
Tend your fledgling dreams.
Fling them toward the sky.
Unfold your wings together
and teach this child to fly.