The Circle
I held you within me, exulting in your being,
And let you go with regret, at first, then joy,
For you were no longer an extension of my body,
But a living, breathing product of my love.
I held you close as you slept, your face serene
In the knowledge that I would watch over you,
Protecting you with my fierce mother's love,
Leaving you free to wander your own path safely.
I held you in my heart, as you walked away from me,
On legs that barely knew what a treasure they bore,
Hurting with you as you fell, laughing as you laughed,
When you finally stepped from your father to me.
I held you in my soul, praying for your happiness,
As you continued your climb, into the World and Life,
And into your future, which I could not share,
But only encourage you to strive for.
And now I hold you in my thoughts, as your body
Holds my grandson deep within you, exulting,
Waiting for the day when you will hold in your arms,
The Circle that was promised when first I felt you.
The Circle Too I held you deep within my coils, waiting for the moment When your egg would show the cracks from your birth beak, And you would look into my eyes and gain the knowledge That is yours by birthright and by right of my love. And when you did not break from your egg and the cracks Failed to appear from your birth beak, my heart stopped, Waiting breathlessly for some small glimmer, a sign, That you were waiting to be welcomed with open wings. Later, I wondered why you had not chosen to be born, And why the knowledge that I carried would not be shared, With someone of my body, with someone of my blood, To be passed to their Childe of Love. A tattered wing, caught in the briar that surrounded the lair, A fearful eye, downcast with shame in the presence of Beauty, And a fierce dragon's heart, shining through your terror, Answered my questions to the Childe of my Heart. As I gazed into your eyes, passing on the knowledge I had kept, And showering the love that had lain so long unused upon you, I smiled, and watched with wonder the change in your eyes, As you looked up into mine, and called me "Mother." The Circle is dedicated to the Childe of my Body, Jenna. The Circle Too is dedicated to the Childe of my Soul, Patches. My life has been dedicated to the Circle we continue, I with she, and she with he. We are truly blessed.
©1997 Terry Dean/Quelonzia