Brian
(My Child)

Margaret V.Doran

I looked upon his tiny face and gazed into his eyes
"This child," I thought, "is flesh of my flesh."

For even in that starting place, myself I recognized
"This child," I thought, "is bone of my bone."

I held him close and breathed him deep, this babe I’d always known
"This child," I thought, "is blood of my blood."

His face relaxed in quiet sleep; I saw more than my own
"My child," I crooned, "you’re flesh of my flesh.

"I see in you my father, too and wish that he were here
My child," I crooned, "you’re bone of my bone.

Down through the ages now to you, a legacy so dear.
My child," I crooned, "you’re blood of my blood.

"And blood of all that came before: the faded album faces.
How could I see and not adore when all my history’s traces
and all the love from ages past coalesce in you my son;
the future for such love that lasts has this day begun."

Copyright © 1998 Margaret V. Doran. All rights reserved.

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Read the poems for my other children: Sarah|Karen|Elizabeth|Garrett

Updated July 1, 1999
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