Someone Else's Child

We first saw you;

spreadeagled, 

labelled,

fighting painfully 

for breath

in a perspex cot.

Burdened by 

the choices, 

or lack of choices,

of those who 

brought you 

into the world -

Someone else’s child.

Though they loved you, 

they couldn’t keep you,

and with breaking hearts 

allowed us 

to give you 

what they could not.

Wrapped tightly,

against the pain

that wracked 

your tiny frame,

we took you home, 

and held you close -

Someone else’s child.

You grew – oh how slowly:

Not for you the easy life

but hard-won -

doubly precious, 

celebrated the day;

you crawled, and walked, 

and ran, and talked.

So small,

yet full of life 

and fierce joy,

infectious as your smile:

We loved you as our own -

Someone else’s child.

But then the day

we knew must come,

when from our arms,

loving hands 

claimed you.

And so, we gave you 

to them - 

the hardest thing 

we’ve ever done; 

with all the love, 

and prayers 

our hearts could muster -

Someone else’s child.

Life moves on:

both ours and yours,

But we cannot forget;

a time, 

a place,

a smile, 

a story;

it doesn’t take a lot

to bring you back -

with our hopes, 

and dreams, 

and love for you -

Someone else’s child.