181. Hotel

One babe cries aloud

Another coughs his lungs out

The third lies silent

180.Contemplations of a Nursing Mother

My baby's growing up. He giggles and points and chatters and waves. He tells me he's all done. He crawls and walks along the couch. He thinks his siblings are fun. He claps and kicks his little feet when he sees or hears them. He stuffs his mouth faster than he can swallow, and he only has four teeth, so it doesn't always get chewed. He's growing up. He doesn't depend on me absolutely anymore. 

But then we have those moments, when everyone has settled down, and he and I are alone together. All is quiet and peaceful, and he falls asleep nursing in my arms. His gentle breathing, slow, steady, and nearly silent, makes me feel my purpose once again. He may not need me for his survival anymore -- he can eat food and quench his thirst by the hands of others; he can move around on his own, get where he wants, change position if uncomfortable; he has others to entertain him-- but I can still provide that one innate comfort to him. I can soothe him in a way no one else can, in a way he doesn't want from anyone else. I am still of value to him. I don't know how much longer it will last, but for now, I revel in the tender moments that remind me that I am needed by this perfect little being.

179. Baby Haiku

Swim, sleep, eat, drink, breath

Can I do it all at once?

If I'm a baby.

178. Raindrop Dreams

If I could have a nickel 

For every raindrop burst

I would be the richest

But I wouldn't be the worst

I'd fly into the starlight

I'd sail across the sea

I'd go live my dreams awakened

But I'd still be plain old me

177. Preservation

Delicious jams and jellies

That's what I made today

Blueberries, limes, raspberries, too

With them I slaved away.

I chopped and smushed and dipped and poured

And stirred and stirred some more.

I filled up every jar I had

And shut the freezer door.

Five flavors new will greet my tongue

When next I bake some bread

But not this day: I'm too worn out.

For now I'll go to bed.

176. Senses

I see the birds, the trees, the sky.

I hear the bumblebee go buzzing by.

I smell the flowers, woods, and sea.

I feel the grass that's under me.

I taste the salty and the sweet.

I love the people that I meet.

All these joys God gives to me.

I thank thee, Father, fervently.

175. Bloodline

Eochaid and Ugaine,

The fathers of my line.

Cinhil, Aidan, Marmaduke,

They link us all through time.

Passing through the eras, 

Our blood connects us strong.

And here I sit beneath them,

Learning of my throng.