Friday, May 03, 2013

Lili's Day

Because my daughter has no particular religious affiliation, she has chosen to give her daughters a Welcome to the World party rather than the traditional christening. Lily is seven months old this month and tomorrow is her special day. This is my poem to her...







For Liliana on the Occasion of
Her Welcome to the World Day




We get used to seeing
Through our own eyes, thinking
We know the world.
Then a small child is placed in our arms
And everything changes.

Our inward eyes turn outward,
And we see the world as it is – wild and wondrous!
The green of a new leaf,
The aching sweetness of the sparrow’s song.

We can giggle at the grass between our toes,
Jump in puddles,
Weep over small hurts,
And hug with abandon.

There is at once an innocence
And a deep wisdom
In a child’s eyes that allows us to see
Our own eternity.


7 comments:

Tabor said...

This will be a memorable poem for her and she can pass it on to her children and grandchildren.

Brian Miller said...

smiles...lovely verse...for a special little one on a special day...kids are awesome...i love being around them....they let us experience that youth again just a bit...smiles

Marc Leavitt said...

Pauline:
You remind us of the opportunity children give us to see the world anew - as we all did once, long ago. A fine poem.

Stella Jones said...

Lovely poem Pauline and so true. My grandson has a similar situation and he had a naming day. Congratulations to Lilliana. I hope you all enjoy the day.

Friko said...

Yes, that’s it exactly.
A little one can take us to a place we would otherwise not remember.

Anonymous said...

So true. It's a shame we lose sight of the world in the first place, but thank God for the children who help us see it again. Beautiful!

Hilary said...

Beautiful, Pauline. I can't think of a better gift for your darling Lily.