A POEM’S JOURNEY

©Copyright 2004 Penny Rock

What shall I do with you my little ones,

Now that I’ve given birth?

How will you find your place in life?

How long will you last on earth?

Though I gave you life and love you,

Are you really mine to share?

Should I place you in the care of others?

Do I even dare?

You’re available to eyes, or ears, or voices

To read, or hear, or say.

You might find yourselves in other lands,

Or in a song or play.

How do I select you

When I stand before a crowd?

How do I decide

Which of you to read aloud?

Do I choose the ones I think they’ll like,

Or those they need to hear?

The thought they might not honor you

Strikes my heart with fear.

Should I send you out into the world

Caught between pages of a book?

I’ve no guarantee that loving eyes

Will grace you with a second look.

Sometime I’ll need to turn you over

To hands of perfect strangers.

I wonder if you’ll forgive me

For placing you in danger.

You spring from me unbidden.

What might be your fate?

I hope they’ll treat you gently,

Not turn from you in hate.

Will you open minds and hearts

After I’m gone?

Will you live on to comfort others

From night until dawn?

Might we meet in another lifetime?

Will we recognize who we are?

Will we reflect each other’s light

Like a brilliant evening star?

I’ll always love the way you visit me.

You send me to a state that’s flowing.

Please have compassion when I’m no longer able

To keep your little family growing.

I feel it is my duty

To provide for your safe-keeping.

The folly of these musings is

I’ll spend my evening weeping.

I’ve no foolproof way to protect you.

You’re here for all to see.

Every moment I speak you

Is a moment you’re set free.

You’re a voice from deep within me.

You’ve a message to impart.

But I’ll never truly own you.

I’ve known that from the start.