The gentle life within my hands
Squirms and wriggles, it will not calm.
I must not think
I can only stare
And hope that when I blink
She is still there.
She must not leave
I cannot let go.
No matter how much
My mind tells me to.
She does not cry
She only smiles
She knows beyond a doubt
She's mine.
She cannot stay,
I must not care
I know when I awake tomorrow
She won't be there.
She will be free
Away from here
Away from me.
Free to laugh and cheer.
Free to play and love
Without constraint
Free to be herself
No cause for hate.
And as I hold my baby here
I must not care
The cost is too dear.
So I hold her near
And watch her chest heave
My one true love
For whom I breathe.
Please don't take her
Please don't say
That I cannot keep her
For one more day.
Her precious eyes
Her tiny fists
I must let go
The nurse insists
I'll find you someday
When you are grown
And hope to love you
As my own.
