Raven-haired Child

Years move on
in definite streams,
haunting evergreen valleys
of promises unfulfilled.

Youthful yesterdays
have faded
like the color of
cherished old photographs.

Memories melted into
clogged pores of mentality
surfacing now only
as bits of flotsam.

Flowing much too quickly
tender years are swept away
by time's uncaring hands
shaking the foundation
that supports each one of us.

Then the raven-haired child
was born into their midst.
Such a beautiful one,
this precious baby boy.

Such a joyous occasion
should not be tainted
with fear and worry
of life gone wrong.

His big sister stays behind
too young to understand,
in the care of gram and pap
while mom and dad are gone.

They must keep a watchful eye
over the raven-haired boy
as gram and pap try hard to smile
for the sake of the other child.

Though youthful yesterdays
have faded,
hopes and dreams are born
each day.

A gentle reminder was given to them
in the form of a raven-haired child.
Now they pray for him tonight
with a teardrop in their eyes.

Life is a gift
meant to be cherished
every moment
every step, every mile.

Darlene Zagata © 2002

I wrote this for my new grandson. My son's baby was born the other day and he stopped breathing. He was sent to another hospital by life flight and has since been hospitalized and will remain so for approximately the next week and a half. The doctors are still running tests to find out what is wrong with him. In the meantime, we're all praying. As I sat up, not being able to sleep night before last, these words came to mind.