Lost child,
No child should be lost,
And no child of mine;
Anger railed at
Life’s cold shoulder.

Stay warm, my boy.
Stay safe.
Stay, love.

I carried you,
With your sisters,
All at once;
Keeping you tucked inside me,
Sheer gravity trying to steel you
Too soon.
I willed you all to stay
So you could grow
And be well.

Be warm, my boy.
Be safe.
Be loved.

Mommies try too hard sometimes.
Daddies turn their backs
Without ever turning away.
You don’t understand,
And if I did, I surely would tell.
I do rail with you,
But my quiet age
Makes me ride the waves
While you try to run on water,
And sink.

Draw nigh and be warm, my boy.
Draw nigh and be safe.
Draw nigh and be loved.

You need a hand,
But mine is soft
And full of years.
You need something
I can’t seem to find.
My eyes are burning;
Still, I won’t let you drown.
Just hold tight.
There is strength waiting for you,
I see it just ahead!

Choose warmth, my boy.
Choose safety.
Choose love.

And the years will pass
Like leaves in the current.
Step there,
My love is a rock;
And will lodge under your feet
For all days.

08/24/2004

Author's Note: For Steven, one of my triplets.

Posted on 08/24/2004
Copyright © 2025 Alison McKenzie