I’ve been really struggling to write this week. My ideas are still there but the words just won’t come. I think it’s because there’s too much going round in my head and my brain is struggling to focus.
But I saw that this week’s prompt over at Mum Turned Mom was ‘Joy’ and I wanted to write something for that. I knew immediately (and rather obviously, I suppose) what I wanted to write about: my boys. I wanted to write about how much I love them and how proud I am of them and how happy they make me. But yeah – everything I attempted to write was rubbish.
Then I remembered a poem I wrote back at the start of the year. I’ve posted it on my blog before but, well, there’s no harm in posting it again right? It doesn’t tell you all about my boys’ unique personalities, about how thoughtful and sensitive my first-born is, how funny and affectionate my second, or how laid-back and irresistible my youngest is. It doesn’t describe what a fabulous little team they are, how supportive and loving and united they are (it also does’t describe the times they bicker either!) But it is about them and the joy they bring me.
I wrote it about my youngest boy but I have felt the same about each. Moments like these have a bitter-sweet edge but are definitely almost heart-explodingly joyful:
Beloved
You are warm in my arms,
Snuggled to my chest,
Soft hair tickling me
With every breath.
My gaze caresses you,
Drinking you in;
The curve of your brow,
Your flawless skin,
Plump cheeks flushed
In the nightlight’s glow,
Pink lips tracing
A cupid’s bow,
Your eyelashes fluttering
As dreams drift by,
Contentment caught
In a sleeping sigh.
As I stroke your fingers
And brush your nose with a kiss
I ache at the thought
Of losing moments like this,
And wish I could capture
Forever this time
When, tiny and perfect,
You are utterly mine.
Oh that is such an utterly beautiful poem! It captures those joyful moments of early motherhood when everything is calm and you can just enjoy the moment, so perfectly. X #theprompt
Thanks Sam – I wish I had more of those moments these days! x
Oh this poem brought tears to my eyes. So utterly beautiful, those moments of snuggling with a little baby are just so wonderfully captured here – definitely a very appropriate poem for this week’s prompt. Those cuddles are such joyful moments x
They are indeed. Thanks Louise. x
Sweet words about your baby which brought me back for when my child is a little baby as well =) #theprompt
Thanks Merlinda, glad it brought back memories for you.x
This could have been about my daughters. Really good work, like it a lot. I’m sure most parents would relate to it #theprompt
Thanks John. I agree it is probably a pretty-much universal feeling! x
This is just beautiful and captures those perfect moments of joy snuggled with your baby; when it’s just the two of you, completely focused in the moment. Love it. Thank you so much for linking to #ThePrompt and sorry for taking so long to comment and share, the weekend got away from me!
Thanks Sara, and thanks for another great prompt! xx
That is beautiful. Your baby in your arms will always be a source of joy. Even when they are grown up! #theprompt
Thanks VaiChin, I’m sure you’re right!
I love the poem. Those newborn moments. Aww. Definitely miss them. Makes you go all melty. You’ve caught the newness of their little squishy faces too. x
Thanks Chrissie. I’m glad I found writing while little ‘un was tiny (of before he was born in fact) because I’ve been able to capture moments with him that I didn’t with my first two- or only in memory form anyway. xxx